Reclaim students’ lives from too much homework and anxiety

AS an MA student in Germany, I spend most days working on my thesis. It’s a daunting assignment frequently marked by mental strain, self-doubt and emotional turmoil, as well as occasional moments of intellectual accomplishment. The thesis is my last requirement to graduate, and if I want to continue with a PhD (which I do) I need to produce something that will impress my supervisors, both of whom are considered world-renowned experts in their fields.

The stress and the stakes are high, but still, I dare say that many Chinese students struggle under more oppressive academic burden than my own. At the end of the day, I still have a personal life and private interests outside of school. This, apparently, is something which many families in China can’t say. Even sadder, from my point of view, is the fact that many Chinese parents are not taking advantage of recent education reforms to reclaim personal time for themselves and their children.

Those familiar with the Chinese education should know that young students don’t have it easy. On top of pressure from parents and teachers, many pupils have to cope with long hours of homework each day, as well as extra-curricular activities and cram sessions. The intense compulsion to study — or, more accurately, to get good grades — has been blamed for a host of social ills, including low selfesteem and depression among youngsters, strained parent-child relationships, as well as rising rates of near-sightedness and childhood obesity.

Of course, the pain isn’t limited to students. In many families, parents spend their evenings checking their children’s homework. I’ve also heard plenty of stories about teachers assigning age-inappropriate content, which many parents end up doing themselves in order to preserve their child’s grades. On top of that, many moms and dads have to keep up with school WeChat groups organized by teachers and fellow parents. Based on certain group posts I’ve seen for myself, this can (and does) lead to frustration and resentment within families.

With this in mind, I was glad to read recently that the Ministry of Education might soon be offering families some relief. According to reports, the ministry has forbidden teachers from using mobile apps like WeChat to assign homework, or to ask parents to check their children’s answers. Schools will further be required to ensure that children’s homework is “appropriate.”

Relief in sight

Some cities have already imposed limits on homework and told schools to cancel mid-term exams for primary students, among other measures. Late last year, schools nationwide were ordered to scrap written homework assignments for first and second graders. They were also told to give older primary students just one hour of homework per day, while middleschoolers were to receive no more than 90-minutes’ worth of assignments.

Yet, rather than embracing these new policies, many parents have found ways around them. This is perhaps to be expected since limiting homework, or certain forms of online communication, does not change the underlying anxiety which many feel about their children’s futures. In the minds of many parents, education is still the surest way to succeed in a society where little can be taken for granted. Schooling becomes an arms race of sorts, wherein unfilled moments become a source of weakness in the scramble for scarce educational resources. Many parents find ways to “enrich” their children’s minds — by enrolling them in competitions, evening classes or music lessons, for example — even when not required to do so by the formal education system.

Here in Europe, many people are talking seriously about the need to reclaim their personal lives. In most cases, this means disconnecting from workplace communications (usually emails and text messages) during one’s off-hours. Indeed, “right to disconnect” laws already exist in France and are now being floated in several other EU countries. This comes as more people worldwide recognize the corrosive psychological effects of being constantly engaged and available via social media and instant messaging tools.

Anecdotally, I also personally know of several companies which encourage their staff to turn off mobile notifications outside of regular working hours.

Speaking of education specifically, among my fellow classmates, many of whom are Europeans, there are also strong expectations that school work should not intrude into holidays, weekends or other moments meant for relaxation. Such attitudes exist despite increasing labor competition and conditions of austerity in Europe. People are still willing to claim their private time. Moreover, there is also a strong case that allowing people to “disengage” allows them to come back to work, or school, with renewed vigor and fresh ideas.

Although I’m an outsider, I understand and sympathize with the burdens felt by so many Chinese students and parents. The issues facing China’s education system are well-known, and fortunately recognized by authorities. Reforms won’t come easily, but I think there needs to be a recognition that engaged students are more likely to reap the value of education than students who are stressed, fearful or half-asleep. Many people are waking up to the fact that free time can lead to productivity and valuable growth. While most parents want “the best” for their children, I fear that keeping young students chained to their desks will only do them a disservice and set them further behind global trends. What’s more, by giving their children a break, they may also reconnect with their own lives.

The author is from the US and a former copy editor at Shanghai Daily.