Today’s page looks at a day in the life of students in China.
So you think you have a long school day and way too much homework? If you were a student in China, you’d spend more hours per day in the classroom than your parents do at work. Middle-school students are in class for up to nine hours a day, followed by more hours spent on nightly homework.
Think you’ll catch a break on the weekend? Probably not. Most students take secondary classes to help with subjects like math, science and English, or they take music lessons. It doesn’t leave too much time for play or socializing.
Just as in our country, the pressure is on students and parents alike to secure a spot in a good school. Competition is also intense for positions that lead to a university degree, which high-paying jobs require. But the intense education comes at a price.
Most kids are not happy with spending all their time in front of their books. Unfortunately, many don’t have friends to play with because everyone is usually in class, doing homework or too tired to play. All this school time also means that most kids don’t get enough sleep. There’s no break in the summer, either, as most students are in school so that their skills remain sharp for the upcoming year.
The problem is so bad that the Ministry of Education has asked parents to cut down on the extracurricular activities, and has asked schools to limit homework to an hour each night.
Still, fun time remains on the back burner for most students in China. It is most important to study hard and pass the “gaokao,” the university-entrance exam, similar to our SAT tests. A child’s entire college future depends on it. Failing to pass is devastating.
A typical school day begins at 7 a.m. Each class lasts for about 45 minutes, with 10-minute breaks in between. There are 35 to 50 students in each class. Boys and girls study together.
At the Beijing Academy of Education and Science Pilot Middle School, a security guard opens the gate to welcome some 800 students into the five-story building each day. Many of the students are from the community, but hundreds of others travel long distances by bus – or even bicycle – to get there. This particular school promotes sports. At lunchtime, students can play football, basketball and table tennis for a half hour. There is also a half hour of free time allowed. The school uniform is a blue track suit, which students, ranging in age from 12 to 18, jazz up with colorful T-shirts and other tops.
ELA 1c, 3c, 3d, 5a Social Studies 3
ACTIVITIES
Use the Internet to learn more about school life in China.
Use a map or globe to locate China and Beijing.
Make a list of all your classes and school activities, including homework. Do you think you spend too much time studying or not enough?
Look at the pros and cons of your life as a student versus those of students in China. Discuss it with your classmates.