All study, no play, that's not healthy for kids
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF ZHEJIANG PROVINCE in East China has sparked a hot debate after soliciting public opinions on a draft regulation that would reduce the workload for pupils and allow them to refuse to do any homework after 9:00 pm. China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang comments:
It's a move that will no doubt be welcomed by children in the province. The regulation would give primary school pupils the right to refuse to do any homework after 9:00 pm, while middle school students would be able to down tools after 10:00 pm. And for the happy, healthy development of pupils, it seems to be a good idea to stop kids sitting at a desk all evening doing homework.
Yet on domestic social networks, the draft has met fierce opposition from parents. There is a very practical reason for that - the national college entrance exam. As long as pupils have to compete on points to enter colleges, all such moves to ease the academic burden on children will be in vain.
