Children skate at a business center in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 24, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

Soon after the spring semester began, daily homework became a headache for many parents. Completing homework and going to bed early is the daunting name of the game. Changzhou Bo'ai Primary School recently issued a notice announcing the implementation of the "nine-o'-clock circuit breaker" system for homework, which means that homework will be stopped unconditionally after 9 pm and unfinished homework will not be made up for the next day, in an attempt to guarantee adequate sleep for students.

The school said it would not only require teachers to improve classroom efficiency and in the selection of homework, but also relieve pressure on students. Parents are very supportive and are looking forward to the implementation of the policy. The report has sparked heated debate among netizens. 

Some said that such a mechanism is well-intentioned but difficult to implement, while others argued that it should be up to individual students to let those who want to study longer have the freedom to do so.