A teacher helps a student wear face mask at the entrance of Beijing Primary School Guangwai branch in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2021.Photo:Xinhua News Agency

A primary school teacher in Southwest China's Sichuan Province has created 53 posts of "class leaders" for 51 students, sparking heated debates online. 

The original intention of setting up posts was to give students the opportunity to actively participate in class management, rather than to satisfy a need for titles, the teacher explained.

Among those 53 positions, in addition to the regular post of the class monitor, deputy class monitor, and head of sports, there are more peculiar positions, such as light manager, water dispenser manager and so on. 

Many netizens said that it is very honorable to work as a class leader in their childhood and this is to cultivate children's sense of responsibilities and "the teacher's kindness will accompany their life." While some others disagree, saying it encourages children's "desire for power."

"What students care most about is to contribute to their class, which can be seen from the cleaner blackboard," the teacher said. 

"Since my son started working as a lighting manager,  he has become more careful," a parent said.