Autumn school holidays a welcome break with tradition

Primary school student Chen Mingshan from Lichuan, Hubei province, could barely contain his excitement as he described the first autumn break of his life.

"My parents are going to take me to the countryside, where I can pick tangerines and dig up sweet potatoes," said the 10-year-old fifth-grader joyfully. "The best part is there's no homework. We can have unstructured free time."

As China continues to deepen its education reform, a new initiative is being introduced across the country — spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary school students.

This fresh approach aims to ease academic burdens on students while promoting holistic development through practical experiences outside the classroom.

On Oct 20, the education bureau of Lichuan, Enshi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, announced its first autumn break, scheduled from Nov 3 to Nov 7. Bookended by two weekends, local primary and junior high students will enjoy a nine-day holiday.

Schools are required to uniformly implement the break without unauthorized adjustments or reductions. The bureau explicitly banned assigning any form of written homework or mandatory practical tasks.

"Everyone is thrilled about this extra, homework-free holiday," Chen said.

Xiao Junling, a teacher at Chen's school — Lichuan Second Ethnic Experimental Primary School — said the new arrangement has been welcomed by students and parents, who are making various plans, many both fun and meaningful.

For instance, one student will go to his grandparents' place and learn the process of tea picking and processing, she said.

Another student interested in the local dialect intends to learn Tujia folk songs from his grandparents and record a small "dialect music album".

A group of classmates plan a field trip to the nearby Xingdoushan National Nature Reserve, to document migratory birds and plants and compile a simple research report.

"These activities are excellent. They incorporate local characteristics and provide tangible learning, turning abstract textbook knowledge into something children can touch and feel in real life," Xiao said.

Huang Jie, the father of one student, welcomed the chance for relaxed, off-peak travel, saying that the family can take a leisurely trip and let the children truly unwind.