For 12-year-old Liu Xingjian, the main problem is getting up 5:50 AM every school day.

 

"I don't want to get up so early," the six-grade Beijing primary school student understandably complained. "I want more sleep."

 

But, by weather fair or foul, Liu has breakfast at 6:15 AM, leaves home with his mother at 6:30 AM and arrives at school at 7 AM after a 30-minute bus ride.

 

As most of his 28 classmates, Liu arrives at school a full hour prior to lessons beginning at 8 AM.

 

In a 2005 survey polling 2,500 schoolchildren in six cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, 66 percent of primary school students and 77 percent of high school students were found to be suffering from a lack of sleep.

 

After the report's incendiary findings, some cities including Shanghai amended educational directives to give children more time for leisure and play. In Shanghai's Luwan District, for example, primary and junior high school students now start school 15 minutes later than before.

 

In a recent online survey conducted by China Daily, almost 70 percent of the 1,133 respondents said they agreed with cutting school hours, while 22 percent disagreed and 10 percent had no comment.

 

"The best way for children to learn is through play," said "Craig" in his online comments. "Through playing, they can develop themselves, learn independence and improve communication skills, which is something many Chinese children lack."

 

Another netizen, known as "skylark" disagreed, claiming "young mothers and fathers have little time to play with their children. Reducing study time and letting them go home early is not a good idea. I think schools should cater to children with more extra-curricular activities."

 

Adding to the burden are the pressure of extra classes or activities that parents make their children take.

 

Liu Xingjian spends his weekends taking classes in math, English and Chinese, and honing his musical talent by learning to play the horn.

 

But even despite this hectic schedule, Liu's mother, Wang Qunyu, who teaches at a high school in Beijing, remains skeptical as to whether her son is doing enough to enter an elite high school later this year.

 

"I am not sure he will be able to get into a top school this autumn, it is so competitive. They want students who have good English and math and also possess special skills.

 

"Of course I want my son to have more sleep, more exercise and more fun," she said. "But the common saying is that if you give your child a happy childhood in China, you give him a failed adulthood."

 

Educational professionals say popular opinion would take time to come to accept shorter school hours. Qi Zhenjun, principal of Beijing-based Chaoyang Elementary School, said the problems lie in an antiquated system that relies purely on grades to evaluate students' worth.

 

It will also take time for people to understand that a college diploma no longer guarantees a good job, Qi said.

 

(China Daily March 19, 2007)