A rural middle school in south China presented their top pupils with an unusual award for doing well in their exams.

The school located in the Xindong village in Fujian province presented a total of 30 top students with fresh fish last Monday for their excellent academic performance so that their families could enjoy a good meal during Chinese New Year, according to reports in China.

In a statement by the vice-principal of Nan’an Jiudu Middle School, he said teachers decided to offer fresh fish as an award this year as it was a symbol of luck and was ‘most practical’.

The vice-headmaster surnamed Lin, told Beijing News that: ‘We wanted to wish our students the best in the coming year and to reward them for doing well in their exams,’ Mr Lin said. ‘We also want parents more involved in their learning.’

Last November, the school also gave out an entire pork leg each to its top students.