Homework load adds to kids' strain

Major survey finds high pressure also means loss of needed sleep

In its first report on the quality of China's nine-year compulsory education, the Ministry of Education has found that primary and middle school students are under great academic pressure, with many spending hours each day on homework.

The report, released on Wednesday, was based on a survey of 572,314 fourth-and eighth-grade students between 2015 and 2017 by the ministry's National Assessment Center for Education Quality.