Beijing: Seeking to strike a balance between academics and physical education and rest, China has passed a new law to shed students’ overall workload.
The law passed is apparently part of Beijing’s efforts to exercise stricter controls over Chinese citizens’ social and personal lives. It includes limiting the youngsters’ time on video games.
“…stipulates that parents or other guardians of minors shall be responsible for family education, while the state, schools and society provide guidance, support and services for family education,” states the new law, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.
The law was approved at a meeting of Chinese parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), on Saturday. The details of the law are yet to be out.
“In response to the country’s drive to ease the academic workload of young students, the law requires local governments at or above the county level to take steps to reduce the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring in compulsory education,” said the agency report.
Under the new law, parents are barred from placing excessive academic burden on children. It stated that the guardians of minors should appropriately organise children’s time for study, rest, recreation and physical exercise.
The NPC is also contemplating legislation to punish parents if their young children exhibit “very bad behaviour” or commit crimes.
According to the Beijing-based consultancy firm, Dezan Shira & Associates, “The changes focus on education in core subjects, or compulsory education, which refers to grades K-9, covering the ages of approximately 6-15 years.”
ALSO READ: Here Primary School Students Are Without Textbooks For 5 Months Now
Comments are closed.