Chongqing - The past winter break of 2022 marked the first recess for schools in China since the "double reduction" policy was introduced. As the new semester kicked off on February 16, students returned to schools and unveiled their vacation under the "double reduction" policy.
Students in Liangjiang back to the campus on the first day of a new semester. (Photo provided to Liangjiang New Area Media Center)
Last July, the policy was issued to lift the extra burden off students and facilitate their overall development. It limits the amount of homework assigned by schools and banned subject-based after-school private tutoring for primary and middle school students.
"The policy agreed with our long-standing educational principle and gave us huge confidence," Yang Lihong, a Chinese teacher at Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Remin Primary School, told the press.
In Liangjiang New Area Remin Primary School, a teacher conducts the first lesson to the students. (iChongqing / Kenny Dong)
"The school never sees the result of exams as the sole purpose. Instead, education is about building the habit and ability of lifetime learning, enabling students to find and appreciate happiness, and eventually living a better life".
According to Yang, despite the school's enriched curriculum, the "double reduction" policy placed new challenges for teachers, "classes need to be more effective and engaging, and homework is more about creating a scenario for students to explore and learn."
The 4th-grade students of the school were required to read a children's encyclopedia. "The homework was to find out the latest development of your favorite fact recorded in the book. The assignment excited students as soon as being set by teachers." Shen Li, a Chinese teacher at the school, said.
According to Shen, the "double reduction" policy challenged teachers and asked for better time management from students.
Gao Ziyao, a 6th-grade student who has been offered a place by three out of the best seven middle schools in Chongqing, told the press the most obvious change brought by the policy is the increased after-school time.
Gao said he used to arrive at home later than 10 pm after off-campus tutoring and had to stay up late for homework occasionally. Since the implementation of the policy, tutoring was canceled, and he had much more time to himself.
"For the winter break, I discussed with my parents and made a time arrangement as it began. I spent it on preparing for junior high school by solving competition questions. I wanted to lose weight, so I worked out during the break, and I am now 5 kilograms lighter," Gao said.
Tang Xinyan, a national bronze medal winner of a talent contest in her 4th grade, was happy with the changes triggered by the policy. She signed up for seven off-campus training programs and now has time to participate in her interests.
"Now I learn piano, singing, calligraphy, hosting, and also swimming in summer. I have more time to sleep and more time to play with my friends," she said in a cheerful voice and told the press that she was going to a children's play area in a shopping mall nearby with her schoolmates right after school.
Wang Cheng, a father of a first-grade student, just had his first winter break as a parent. He approved the school homework as creative and thought-provoking and said his daughter had a happy winter break.
As for the entrance examination for middle school, which the "double reduction has not fundamentally changed," Wang said, it is a bit early to think about it, but he will make plans for his daughter and for the following two or three years, the most crucial thing will be cultivating her learning habits.
(This article is written by Guo Shuyu, Liangjiang New Area Media Center)