The Chinese authorities decided to implement a set of measures to improve the mental health of primary and secondary school students, including reducing academic pressure, limiting the time of using the Internet, and allocating two hours a day to physical exercise.
The measures revealed by the Ministry of Education include banning the use of mobile phones in classrooms, and allocating “screen-free” periods to reduce excessive reliance on the Internet.
The ministry called on schools to “severely reduce” homework and provide at least two hours of physical activity daily for primary and secondary school students.
The Ministry also encourages “ensuring that students get adequate sleep” by organizing attendance and dismissal times “reasonably,” and providing sufficient rest periods during lunchtime.
The ministry said in a statement: “Sleep regulation must be strictly implemented, violations such as excessive studying must be limited, and excessive academic burdens should be prevented.”
These measures aim to help students overcome stress and anxiety, especially during exam periods.
Experts pointed out that heavy study loads are common in Chinese schools, which leads to lack of sleep and increased rates of anxiety and depression among students.
In a separate notice, issued in October, the Ministry of Education announced that it was working to reduce teachers’ workloads by limiting tasks outside school hours, and preventing work during weekends and official holidays.
In 2021, China passed an education law that aims to reduce homework and ban private lessons in basic subjects.
However, many parents still seek additional tutoring for their children to enhance their chances in China’s highly competitive education system.
The recent measures in China are inseparable from similar measures that some cities in China have previously taken.
In January, Zhengzhou City began banning the use of smartphones in primary and secondary schools, becoming the first city to implement the decision by law.
Lawmakers in the central Chinese city passed the bill to strengthen restrictions on students’ use of smartphones in schools, and it took effect immediately, according to the South China Morning Post website.
Under the law, Zhengzhou schools are obligated to ban students’ smartphones in classrooms, unless there is an urgent educational need to do so.
If circumstances require a student to bring his phone to school, the parent must submit a written request, and the school administration is responsible for monitoring his use of the phone during the school day.
The new law also stipulates that schools must provide public phones that allow students to communicate with their families when needed.
The law also included advising students’ families on the importance of preventing or legalizing students’ use of smartphones and the Internet in general at an early age.
The city spokesman indicated that the new legislation attempts to clarify the duties required of the government, schools, and families, with regard to regulating students’ use of smartphones.
China is not alone in adopting this policy in schools, as several countries prohibit students from using phones in classrooms for reasons related to academic achievement and mental health.
