Archive · 12 Nov 2025
China Mandates Less Homework, More Sleep, and Two Hours of Exercise for Students
Imagine your schoolwork is like eating too much candy - it makes you feel yucky!
China's government is telling schools they need to give kids less homework, just like giving you fewer candies.
They also want you to play outside for at least two hours every day, which is super fun!
And guess what?
No phones in class anymore, so you can focus better.
They even want to make sure you get enough sleep by starting school at a good time and not rushing your lunch.
This is all to help kids feel happier and less worried, especially when it's time for tests.
It's like a big reset button for school to be more fun and less stressful!
China's Ministry of Education is implementing new measures to reduce student stress.
Schools must limit homework and ensure at least two hours of daily physical activity for students.
Classroom mobile phone bans and periods of "screen-free" time are mandated.
Measures aim to improve student mental health by ensuring sufficient sleep and reducing academic burdens.
Previous efforts in 2021 to cut homework and ban tutoring have seen limited success due to competitive education system.
- Who
- China's Ministry of Education
- What
- Announced measures to reduce academic pressure, cut screen time, and mandate two hours of daily physical exercise for primary and secondary students, aiming to improve mental health and reduce stress.
- When
- Measures announced last month (October)
- Where
- China
- Why
- To help students cope with stress and anxiety, particularly around exams, due to heavy homework loads, lack of sleep, and increased anxiety and depression.
- Instituting Ministry
- Ministry of Education
- Key Mandates
- Reduced homework, "at least" 2 hours of daily physical activity, classroom mobile phone ban, "screen-free" time, sufficient sleep.
- Target Audience
- Primary and secondary school students
- Stated Goals
- Reduce academic pressure, improve mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, especially around exams.
- Previous Efforts
- 2021 education law to cut homework and ban core subject tutoring.