Starting in the spring semester of 2025, schools all across China will introduce significant changes to promote student development and well-being.
These adjustments are part of China’s broader educational reforms laid out in the “Outline of the Construction Plan for a Strong Education Country (2024-2035)”, issued on January 19, 2024, by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council.
The plan sets ambitious national goals to establish China as a “Strong Education Country” by 2035, with significant milestones to be achieved by 2027. It emphasizes equity in education, urban-rural integration, the enhancement of physical and science education, and tighter school management practices.
With this legal framework in place, new regulations now require Hainan schools to implement extended physical activity times, better enrollment management, improved science teaching, food safety protocols, and stricter academic integrity rules.
These reforms are not unique to Hainan; they are part of a nationwide effort to improve education standards across China. Regions such as Tianjin, Hunan, and Hebei have already introduced similar measures, including extended physical activity times, longer breaks, and stricter enrollment management.
This collective push reflects China’s broader goals to promote student well-being, educational equity, and academic excellence, ensuring that schools across the country align with national standards.
Hainan Schools to Implement New Semester Changes in 2025
As schools reopen, Hainan will see new educational regulations come into effect starting the spring semester of 2025. These changes are designed to enhance physical activity, extend breaks, improve student management, and strengthen safety measures across campuses.
Increased Focus on Physical Activity and Well-Being
By spring 2025, Hainan’s compulsory education schools will ensure at least two hours of comprehensive physical activity per day for all students. Schools will adjust their schedules with daily physical education classes and longer breaks to meet this target.
Extended Breaks for Students: A Step Toward Better Mental Health
To improve student well-being, Hainan will extend break times from 10 to 15 minutes, with a minimum of one 30-minute large break each day.
Enrollment Management Overhaul
Schools are now required to verify student enrollment at least once per semester to ensure accurate records and prevent enrollment fraud. Transfers between schools, including across provinces, will be simplified with a “one-stop service” for easier student transitions.
New Focus on Science Education
Every school must appoint at least one deputy principal dedicated to science education. Schools will be encouraged to recruit qualified science teachers, preferably with a master’s degree in science or engineering fields.
Boosting Sports Education Staffing and Resources
Schools will strengthen their physical education staff, aiming for dedicated teachers in soccer, basketball, and volleyball. New guidelines will ensure a standard teacher-student ratio to improve sports education and promote equal treatment for PE teachers.
School Food Safety Tightened
Hainan schools will improve food safety management. Facilities will undergo regular cleanings, expired food will be removed, and routine self-inspections will be implemented. Schools with existing vending machines and on-campus food stalls will be required to phase them out.
New Degree Regulations and Academic Integrity Measures
The new national Degree Law, effective January 1, 2025, outlines scenarios where degrees may be withheld or revoked. These include academic misconduct (e.g., plagiarism or ghostwriting), fraudulent admission practices, or serious legal violations during the degree pursuit.
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