No homework or exams for China's overloaded pupils

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The Ministry of Education (MOE) issued a draft regulation on Thursday to reduce the academic burden on the nation's pupils, including a suggested ban on written homework and exams.

Instead of written homework, the MOE suggested primary schools organize visits to museums, libraries and cultural facilities after class, and cultivate students' hands-on capabilities through handicrafts or farm work.

The draft suggests abandoning unified examinations for first, second and third graders. From the fourth grade up, only two exams - Chinese, mathematics or foreign languages - would be allowed per semester.

Teachers would be prohibited from recommending or selling course materials to students.

Other provisions include an end to junior high school enrollment exams and a ban on grouping students according to exam scores.

Xu Mei, spokeswoman for the MOE, said that despite efforts to limit workload, primary school students in some places are still being forced to work too hard.

The draft regulation was published for the purpose of soliciting public opinion until Aug. 29.

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