School Life of Beijing Kids

Thank you very much for visiting my blog, which is written at the right middle of Beijing, where is known for PM 2.5, chaos and bursting energy of people!

Today I will talk about homework of Beijing kids.

I just read my colleagues articlehttps://this.kiji.is/249791074528378889 introducing French dispute over whether homework should be allowed in Junior high school. (their concern is that homework highly depends on the parents involvement, which, some people think, could exacerbates disparity.)

OK. China makes a striking contrast.From elementary school, parents are expected to fully assist kids homework. Sometimes homework is accomplished by parents, not by kids (For impatient parents, that is easier than letting dragging kid finished homework)!!

Reason behind is fierce competition in getting high score in exam.

Good news is that in the past few years, Government began to care about kids health. They start limit the volume of homework.
Now only homework that can be finished in 30min. for grade 1-3, 1 hour for grade 4-6 are allowed officially.

But since score competition itself remains to be there, the pressure for more homework samely exists. So situation has not improved that much.

I have a friend, whose daughter goes to one of the most famous top junior high school in Beijing. Her life is extremely tough. Much harder than that of mine...

5:30 wake up
6:00 leave home by car and grab a breakfast in car and continue to sleep
7:10 arrive school and starts official self study
7:40-15:00 classes
15:00-18:30 free time (usually do homework in classroom while waiting for the following club activity)

18:30-20:30 club activity at school

20:30-21:30 go home by car, while taking nap
21:30-22:00 dinner
22:00-24:00 homework

this is her real life. Of course that of the top elite student, though.
Life here is not easy.
French dispute sounds so far away for me, the Beijing resident....
Envy and jealous !

Here is my first small English story from Beijing, hope you like it!