China Implements New Policy to Reduce Homework and Exam Pressure on Students

China has rolled out comprehensive new regulations with the aim of alleviating academic pressures on students. These measures include prohibitions on excessive homework and frequent examinations, as well as limitations on classroom activities during break times.

According to the Ministry of Education, this new policy framework is intended to enhance the physical and mental health of students, representing a notable departure from the nation's historically rigorous academic landscape.

In its announcement, the ministry stated that schools are forbidden from assigning burdensome amounts of homework or adding to the academic load of students. Additionally, schools must not restrict students' rest periods or encroach upon their break times in any manner.

Educational authorities are also taking steps to limit the frequency of testing, stating that schools cannot organize exams too often or use them for student selection purposes.

Furthermore, schools are barred from incentivizing or penalizing teachers based on the performance of top students in college entrance examinations.

These new regulations build on directives released in November, which mandated that educational institutions strictly manage homework volumes and guarantee at least two hours of daily physical activities for both primary and secondary students.

Moreover, kindergartens are instructed not to incorporate primary-level teachings or advance formal curricula prematurely.

These reforms coincide with increasing concerns regarding student wellbeing, as experts have linked academic demands to issues like sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression in youth.

As part of this change, China is also adding more school holidays, including new breaks in spring and autumn, in addition to the existing summer and winter vacations.

Some schools have already begun to implement innovative practices. For example, the Sichuan Southwest Vocational College of Aviation has announced a six-day spring break that emphasizes the importance of leisure and social interactions.

This initiative aligns with the government's broader efforts to enhance quality of life, support mental health, and promote long-term stability in social and economic sectors.