Primary and middle schools in China can delay their morning classes to allow students more time to sleep, said the Shanghai Education Commission (SEC) on February 12.

 

Schools authorities can devise their own timetables including when classes begin and end as long as they fulfill educational tasks and don't begin classes before 7:45 AM, the Shanghai Morning Post reported on February 13, citing an SEC official.

 

The schools should circulate their timetables for public scrutiny, the report said. The move aims to ensure students get enough sleep--nine to 10 hours.

 

Authorities have forbidden primary and middle schools from holding extra classes before 7:45 AM since 1999. However, some schools still require their students to arrive at an earlier time for extra classes to ensure their grades are good.

 

This violates the concept of scientific education in China which calls for the balanced development of students, the SEC official said.

 

Education departments will improve supervision of the new schedules of each school.

 

(Shanghai Daily February 14, 2007)