China’s proposal to leave homework unfinished a fail, say parents
- Latest effort to reduce stress among schoolchildren ‘no answer’ while academic success depends on entrance exam, critics say
- Children are not getting enough sleep, exercise or after-class activities, directive says
China’s national homework debate has been reignited with the suggestion in one eastern province that a good night’s sleep may be more important.
Education authorities in Zhejiang province have proposed that children can leave their homework unfinished after a set bedtime – 9pm for primary school and 10pm for middle school students – with their parents’ agreement.
The new policy is one of 33 measures outlined in a draft directive issued by the provincial government on Monday for public consultation as part of a national initiative to ease stress on schoolchildren. Other measures include restricting after-school courses and encouraging a more diversified evaluation of student performance.
Schoolchildren have “too much homework, too many after-school classes and competitions”, but “not enough sleep, exercise or after-class activities”, the directive said.
But far from being happy with the new policy, parents are concerned their children will pay for the measure by ending up in lower quality schools. While the new rules might lessen the workload, they argue, examinations – which determine college places – remain as gruelling as ever.