Beijing: The Education Ministry said it is launching a campaign to address issues including excessive homework and bullying in schools as part of efforts to boost students’ mental health.
The announcement came on Tuesday, just a day after the ministry said it is carrying out mental health education for teachers and students, with particular focus on rural migrant children or those “left behind,” whose parents work in large cities for much of the year.
The ministry’s notice, published on its website, detailed 12 negative practices at schools, including encroachment during scheduled breaks, neglect and tolerance of bullying behaviour.
Beijing has, since 2021, tried to reform the education sector and ease academic pressure on students.
Many residents have cited high childcare and education costs as reasons not to have children.
The announcements come after the killing of a 13-year-old boy in northern China, whose case triggered a heated media debate over juvenile crime and the plight of children left at home by migrant workers.
Three boys were arrested after they allegedly bullied and killed the student in the small city of Handan on March 10. — Reuters
