Chongqing - To enhance student well-being, Chongqing has introduced a new education policy to improve the quality of young students' sleep. On February 11, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Education held a policy meeting that outlined several regulations to ensure that students in elementary and secondary schools receive adequate rest.

Young children are encouraged to engage in more outdoor activities. (Photo/Xie Zhiqiang)

Under the new guidelines, elementary school classes will begin no earlier than 8:20 AM, and secondary school classes will start no earlier than 8:00 AM. The move comes in response to growing concerns over sleep deprivation and study pressure among children and adolescents, which have been linked to negative impacts on physical and mental health. In addition to regulating school start times, the policy mandates that all students engage in at least two hours of physical activity daily, which is crucial for their overall development and well-being.

One of the policy's most notable measures is its strict regulation of study hours. For elementary students, weekly class hours will be capped at 26 hours for grades 1-2 and 30 hours for grades 3-6. Middle school students will have a maximum of 38 hours per week, while high school students are allowed up to 40 hours. These restrictions aim to prevent overburdening students and ensure that school hours are not extended into weekends or holidays for extra classes.

Chongqing kids are having fun in a football competition. (Photo/The Organizing Committee of the Children's Sports Conference)

The policy also emphasizes homework limits as part of its commitment to reducing academic stress. Written homework for elementary students should not leave the school, and a "no homework day" will be encouraged each week.

The new policy aligns with national standards set by China's Ministry of Education, which recommends 10 hours of sleep for elementary students, 9 hours for middle school students, and 8 hours for high school students. However, research indicates that many Chinese students do not meet these guidelines. According to "the 2019-2020 National Mental Health Report", 95.5% of Chinese primary school students and 84.1% of high school students fall short of the recommended sleep duration.

Chongqing's new regulations are a positive step toward addressing this issue. There is growing recognition that sleep and rest are critical for young people's brain development, memory consolidation, and emotional well-being. The policy is expected to foster healthier, more productive learning environments nationwide.