Less homework means more private lessons  

中小学生“减负”效果存疑 专家吁促进教育均衡

连日来，各地政府在中小学开学季推出的“减负新政”成为了舆论关注的焦点。多年来各地招数繁多的减负政策，换来的却是学生课业负担的越来越重。专家分析，相较于“禁令减负”，政府更应在改革中高考制度，促进教育均衡方面有所作为。

Beijing (CNS) -- Under the singly focused score-oriented system, parents and schools, even students, cannot be helped merely by pressure-reducing measures such as less homework, an expert said on Thursday.

Xiong Bingqi, deputy director of the Beijing-based 21st Century Education Research Institute, said the pressure-reducing measures only lead to more extra after-school lessons for students and more expenditures for the family.

It is the monotony and repetition of homework that tires students, Xiong said, adding that the Commission of Education should focus on assigning meaningful and practical homework to arouse students' interests, not just on limiting the quantity.

Without reforming China's current score-oriented system, the pressure on students can't actually be reduced, Xiong said. Faced with the pressure of entry examinations for school and the slump in employment, parents are increasingly concerned about preparing their kids for a competitive atmosphere, he said.

The government should devote more efforts to making education more equitable and balancing educational resources, he added.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Education released a notice Monday, the first day of school in the capital, barring homework assignments for lower classes and mid-term exams in primary schools. Other pressure-reducing measures include limiting homework for middle school students to 90 minutes and no organized study sessions before 8:00 a.m. until high school.