A special education school in China is facing controversy for making students carry toy dolls to teach empathy. The school aims to help teenagers with behavioral issues, but the method has drawn mixed reactions.

A special education institute in eastern China that targets “problematic” teenagers has sparked controversy for allowing its students to carry toy dolls throughout the school day as part of gratitude lessons. Yuanzhong Special Education School, located in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, accepts adolescent students who exhibit rebellious behaviour, lack motivation for studying, are addicted to online games, or display a fiery temper and early dating tendencies. Recently, videos of students carrying toy...