The reporter visited Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Enshi, Hubei, and Guangzhou, Guangdong
Teachers from Hangzhou Chunya Experimental School guide students to practice calligraphy after spring break. Photo by our reporter Liu Junguo
During spring break, a middle school student in Lichuan City, Enshi Prefecture took his younger brother to experience tea picking. Photo provided by Lichuan Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department
Students from Yuyan Middle School in Guangzhou carry out spring break study activities at Zhuhai Space Center. Photo provided by Yuyan Middle School in Guangzhou
During this spring break, parents in Hangzhou took their children to visit Sanya, Hainan. Photo provided by the Education Bureau of Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
Introduction
"Hangzhou primary and secondary schools have spring and autumn vacations?" Zhu Ziying, who was admitted to Zhejiang University from another province in 2018 and lived in Hangzhou for nearly 7 years, was quite novel when he first heard about this holiday, "The children in Hangzhou are so happy."
"There is no spring and autumn vacation in many places yet?" Fulenning, a 26-year-old Hangzhou girl, was also surprised. "I thought this was a vacation that primary and secondary school students across the country have."
This holiday that people in Hangzhou are accustomed to has begun in 2004.
Not long ago, the "Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption" issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council proposed that "locals with conditions are encouraged to explore the establishment of spring and autumn vacations for primary and secondary schools based on actual conditions."
In late March, first-year junior high school students in Yuyan Middle School in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province held their first spring break study activity; after the Qingming Festival, four counties and cities in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hubei Province gave spring breaks to all students in compulsory education stages...
With winter and summer vacations, why do you still have spring and autumn vacations? How do students spend this holiday? How can I let go of the spring and autumn vacations of primary and secondary schools be well and can I push it out? Recently, the reporter went to Hangzhou, Enshi and Guangzhou to find the answers.
Happy Vacation
Relax and gain growth experience
On April 27, at dawn, Chen Kewei, a third-grade student at Jiangnan Primary School in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, was woken up by his mother and rushed to the airport to start a week's trip.
This day is the first day of spring break in primary and secondary schools in Xiaoshan District in 2025. With the May Day holiday, we can take 9 consecutive days off. Chen Kewei and his mother went to Sichuan for 4 days first, then returned to their hometown in Wenzhou, Zhejiang for 3 days, and then returned to Hangzhou.
"On the first day, I came to a panda-themed Citywalk; on the second day, I visited Dujiangyan; on the third day, I went to the giant panda breeding base to see the panda baby; on the fourth day, I went to the Sanxingdui Museum to appreciate the beauty of cultural relics..." This travel plan formulated with my mother was meticulous and interesting, which made Chen Kewei full of expectations.
This is not Chen Kewei's first trip. Previously, she also used the Spring and Autumn holidays to visit Beijing, Nanjing and other places with her parents, saw Tiananmen Square depicted in Chinese textbooks, and walked into the Yuhuatai mentioned in the extracurricular book.
In recent years, the spring breaks of primary and secondary schools in Hangzhou are mostly arranged at the end of April, which is for the May Day holiday; the autumn breaks are mostly arranged at the end of September, which is for the National Day holiday.
"In spring, flowers bloom, autumn is clear and cool, and it can form a staggered peak with other places, so many parents in Hangzhou are willing to take their children out for travel at this time." Kong Yongguo, general general of the Hangzhou Education Bureau, said that in recent years, with the surge in the number of tourists, in order to get high-speed rail tickets, some parents "can't sleep well for several consecutive days", while others adopt "circumcision tactics" to book tickets from Shanghai, Suzhou and other places.
What is said is not false. In mid-April, local media reported that Hangzhou parents formulated various strategies and launched a "title-grabbing war". On April 25, the reporter checked from the railway 12306 ticket purchase system and found that on the 27th, the tickets were sold out from multiple trains from Hangzhou to Beijing and Guangzhou.
How did this holiday that has ignited some citizens' enthusiasm for tourism and lasted for more than 20 years in Hangzhou?
Kong Yongguo said that in 2004, he worked as a teacher in a high school. In order to find out this issue, he specially called and asked the then director of the Municipal Education Bureau. The other party told him, "Firstly, in order to reduce the burden, when the semester is halfway through, students will be given a period of rest to relieve the physical and mental pressure caused by excessive academic burden; secondly, increase knowledge, give students the opportunity to "travel thousands of miles" and appreciate the beauty of the motherland's mountains and rivers; thirdly, enhance parent-child relationship."
In March of that year, the Hangzhou Municipal Education Bureau issued the "Opinions on Adjusting Holidays and Work and Rest Times in Primary and Secondary Schools", proposing that "under the premise that the total teaching time of each academic year remains unchanged, the traditional two semesters and two holidays will be changed to a two semester and four holiday system for one academic year, and spring break, summer vacation, autumn vacation and winter vacation will be implemented."
"The documents at that time stipulated that the spring break time was two weeks before and after May 1, and the autumn break time was the first week of November." Kong Yongguo introduced that, based on feedback from various parties, it was gradually adjusted and fixed to the current arrangement.
Traveling off-peak, getting close to nature, relaxing your body and mind, broadening your horizons... These words were repeatedly mentioned in three places: Hangzhou, Enshi and Guangzhou.
Open the WeChat official account of Yuyan Middle School in Guangzhou and slide down the screen of your mobile phone until March 30. An article titled "Yuyan Spring Break Stop: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom! Screaming and studying! Ocean World is also a happy classroom! 》 articles come into view. From this day forward to March 26, there are reports of spring break activities with pictures and texts every day. Click in, smiling faces are full of youth.
In those 5 days, the first-year junior high school students of Yuyan Middle School spent their first spring break in their lives: after the school reported to the Huangpu District Education Bureau, the students chose independently, and 310 people participated in the school-organized study tour and went to Zhongshan and Zhuhai; more than 40 people chose to travel with their parents.
"Our spring break is from March 26 to 28, plus two days on weekends, and the students enjoyed a full five-day holiday." Yin Xianwen, secretary of the Party Committee of Yuyan Middle School, said that the study and study activities itinerary includes the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Zhuhai Space Center, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and other special attractions. The students who traveled with their parents went to Chongqing, Xi'an, Wuxi, Zhangjiajie and other places respectively.
"Looking at the growth of plants and trees is a natural lesson, touching historical sites is a history lesson, and walking with each other is a social lesson." Yin Xianwen, a Chinese teacher, expressed the meaning of spring break in poetic language, "Let students gain the most precious growth experience in the most beautiful season."
Liu Qibao, director of the Propaganda and Ideological and Political Education Department of the Guangzhou Municipal Education Bureau, introduced that although Guangzhou has not made a large-scale spring and autumn vacation, it is promoting the issuance of the "Regulations on Promoting External Practical Education in Primary and Secondary Schools" and encouraging primary and secondary school students to carry out various forms of off-campus practice activities such as collective study and parent-child travel.
Located in Wuling Mountain District, a notice issued by the Lichuan Municipal Education Bureau of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in March has attracted attention: It is connected to the Qingming Festival holiday, from April 7 to 8, the city's compulsory education schools will have spring break. The notice also put forward four aspects of holiday activities suggestions: getting close to nature, participating in labor, red education, and experiencing life.
"In our place, rural children are the majority. This arrangement fully considers the differences between urban and rural areas, and explores local resources based on the characteristics of mountainous areas." Zhang Ping, deputy director of the Lichuan Municipal Education Bureau, introduced that Lichuan has beautiful mountains and rivers and many scenic spots. During the spring break, the children are just outing and enjoying the spring. At the same time, this is also the spring sowing season. Students are encouraged to participate in farming, housework, community services, etc. while ensuring safety, being nearby, and doing their best to understand the significance of labor, and enhance their feelings with their families.
During the spring break, Qu Jingqing, a first-grade student at Liangwu Primary School in Liangwu Township, Lichuan City, and his mother Yang Xiangping planted a bed of green beans. "I dig a hole and she puts the seeds." Yang Xiangping said that now, the first thing her daughter does when she goes home from school every day is to see how the Siqidou looks. "The green beans I plant must be delicious." Now, the bean seedlings have already broken out. Looking at the fruits of their labor, the little girl is full of expectations.
During this spring break this year, 91,000 students from 130 compulsory education schools in Lichuan City participated in housework, 70% experienced spring sowing, more than 6,000 people participated in red education activities, and nearly half of the children's families carried out parent-child travel activities.
Is it a holiday
Seeking truth from facts, without "one size fits all"
Both belong to Enshi Prefecture, Jianshi County has no spring break this year.
As the head of the Education Section of Jianshi County Education Bureau, Fu Dafu clearly remembers that in mid-March, the director arranged for them to conduct a survey on whether to give up spring break.
"We conducted research among some teachers, students and parents. The teachers and students were basically willing, but most parents were unwilling and there were loud oppositions." Fu Dafu recalled.
The reporter interviewed several parents in Jianshi County. Most of them showed a contradictory attitude towards spring break-
Kong Ping, a parent of a fourth-grade student at Jianshi County Experimental Primary School, said that the starting point for spring break is good, and I also agree that children should study happily. But I and my lover are busy with work, so the possibility of taking leave to spend time with my children is small. When the child is on vacation, he will play with his mobile phone and watch TV at home, which will not have the effect of spring break;
Wang Jian, a parent of a third-year junior high school student in Jianshi County Ethnic Experimental Junior High School, is busy with business. He is worried that his children will delay their studies during holidays, and he is also worried about their children's safety problems. "I like to ride a bike around after holidays, and once I fell." Liu Lu, a parent of another student, said bluntly, "I wish I could have 16 hours in school 24 hours a day." But they also believe that "there are also benefits of holidays, and children can relieve anxiety."
…………
Unlike the conflicts and entanglements of parents, teachers generally have a clear attitude towards spring break: look forward to it and welcome it!
Liu Junbi, a teacher at Jianshi County Experimental Primary School, said that schools cannot replace the role of families, and school activities cannot replace the beauty of nature. "What's more, the spring and autumn vacation is a holiday for children. Shouldn't we listen to their voices more?"
Yin Xianwen said that Guangzhou is warm and moist all year round, and the grass and trees are evergreen. When he taught students Chinese class, "the grass looks close but not close", many students couldn't understand it, "because they have never seen the grass withered in winter and just drilled out of the ground in early spring."
In fact, as early as February 2013, the "National Tourism and Leisure Outline (2013-2020)" issued by the State Council proposed that "local governments can explore the arrangement of spring or autumn vacations for primary and secondary schools." Since then, the "Several Opinions on Promoting the Reform and Development of the Tourism Industry" issued by the State Council, the "Implementation Opinions on Improving the Tourism Environment and Promoting Tourism Consumption" issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and other nine departments have all reiterated the relevant requirements.
The documents have been encouraged many times, why are there still not many places to implement them?
The reporter observed that compared with parents and teachers and students, the factors that need to be considered by the education authorities are more complex.
As a mountainous agricultural county, as of the end of 2024, the registered population of Jianshi County was 494,200, of which 366,700 were rural population. "Working out to work is one of the main channels for farmers to increase their income. According to statistics from the Civil Affairs Department, in our county, there are currently more than 2,300 left-behind children who both parents go out." Fu Dafu said that if the holiday is on, how to arrange this group is also a problem that the education department needs to consider.
Zhang Ping admitted that during the spring break of Lichuan, what he was most worried about was student safety: "It is not a legal holiday. Once safety issues arise, will parents blame the school and education departments?"
Not long ago, on the People's Daily "Leadership Message Board", a netizen suggested that Shenzhen implement the spring and autumn vacation system for primary and secondary schools. In the reply, the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau not only stated that because parents do not have corresponding holidays, students may be unattended, or students may be pushed to social training institutions and increase their financial burden, but also pointed out that under the background of promoting curriculum reform and changing the methods of talent training, it requires a large number of lessons to carry out teaching courses such as science education, sports, mental health, labor education, and social practice. If there is another holiday, it will be difficult to complete the teaching tasks required by the new curriculum standards.
"Every time something new appears, there must be a collision of ideas. These concerns and worries are natural." Lei Wanpeng, a professor at Central China Normal University, said that places with conditions are encouraged to explore the setting of spring and autumn vacations in primary and secondary schools based on actual conditions. If you do not meet the conditions for the time being, you should not force it. You might as well be more patient and wait for the time to ripe and endogenous motivation to emerge.
Zhou Wenzhong, deputy director of the Enshi Prefecture Education Bureau, introduced that Enshi City was the first place in Enshi Prefecture to set up spring and autumn vacations for primary and secondary schools. In 2014, the city began to try spring vacations in compulsory education schools. "Enshi City's tea industry has developed well, and around Qingming Festival is the busy season for tea harvesting. Learn from the past tradition of busy farming holidays, and let students carry out practical activities based on labor education during this period." Zhou Wenzhong said that the holiday setting is in line with local reality and has a good response.
In 2017, based on the summary of Enshi City's experience and practices, the Enshi Prefecture Education Bureau issued a notice deciding to have spring and autumn vacations at compulsory education schools in all provinces, each time lasting 2 to 3 days, which in principle is connected with statutory holidays or weekends.
"But we do not have a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Whether to leave the holidays will be left to each county and city to make its own decisions." Zhou Wenzhong said.
This year, among the eight counties and cities in Enshi Prefecture, all compulsory education schools in Enshi, Lichuan, Xuanen and Xianfeng, as well as some schools in Hefeng County, had spring breaks; the three counties of Jianshi, Badong and Laifeng have not had holidays.
In Hangzhou, there is also no "one-size-fits-all". Currently, 10 urban areas have set up spring and autumn vacations, and 3 counties and cities have not set up yet.
"The Education Bureau issued a document that is aimed at the entire city, but the only ones that were implemented at the beginning were the main urban areas. Later, Xiaoshan, Yuhang, Fuyang and other districts joined in." Kong Yongguo believes that the degree of urbanization 20 years ago was different from that in 20 years later, and the economic and social development levels of mountainous counties and cities and urban areas were also different. "We still need to consider specific conditions and seek truth from facts."
Coordinated guarantee
Interconnected service is not just a matter of release
The spring and autumn vacations of primary and secondary schools in Xiaoshan District begin in the fall of 2023.
Why did Xiaoshan District start to implement the spring and autumn vacation of primary and secondary schools in Hangzhou nearly 20 years after the implementation of the spring and autumn vacation of primary and secondary schools?
"First, the acceleration of urban-rural integration development; second, the opportunity to hold the Hangzhou Asian Games; third, the improvement of guarantee measures such as custody services." Lang Luyin, secretary of the Youth League Working Committee of Xiaoshan District Education Bureau, said that in the past, the urban-rural dual structure in Xiaoshan District was relatively obvious, with many rural families and many migrant workers. The addition of spring and autumn vacations in primary and secondary schools may bring trouble to their work and life.
"Now, why do parents have a high acceptance of spring and autumn vacations? It is because the 'big rear' is well guaranteed." Lang Luyin said that during the 2023 autumn vacation, Xiaoshan District provided custody services to 204 students; by the 2024 spring and autumn vacations, the number of people increased to 1,087 and 1,123 respectively.
Not just Xiaoshan District.
On April 27, I walked into Hangzhou Chunya Experimental School in Shangcheng District. The ink fragrance in the calligraphy classroom was rich, and the children were practicing writing horizontal and vertical strokes with the teacher; in the mortise and tenon woodworking workshop, the children turned into "little craftsmen" and, under the guidance of the teacher, they personally drew and assembled kites...
In March this year, the Hangzhou Municipal Education Bureau issued the "Notice on Further Improving the Implementation of Spring and Autumn Holidays", requiring that "for some families who are indeed unable to accompany their children during the Spring and Autumn Holidays, all localities should refer to the specific requirements and mature practices of summer custody to provide spring and Autumn Holidays" and "there is no custody service fee for spring and Autumn Holidays".
According to factors such as geographical location and special courses in Shangcheng District, five schools were selected as centralized hosting points, providing hosting services from April 27 to 30, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm every day. Hangzhou Chunya Experimental School is one of them.
"In these 4 days, we have a theme every day, including traditional cultural experience, inheriting the spirit of scientists, sports festivals and visiting red venues, etc.." Hu Xudong, principal of Hangzhou Chunya Experimental School, told reporters that in addition to charging 20 yuan for lunch per person every day, no other fees will be charged. "There are 114 students who signed up, involving 28 schools in Shangcheng District."
Citizen Chen Qi sent both of his children over. Two boys, one in the sixth grade and the other in the third grade, are at the age of lively and active. In the past, every time the spring and autumn holidays were on, the child cheered, and he and his lover were secretly worried - he was busy with work and couldn't leave, and his lover was a kindergarten teacher, so he couldn't go back and ask for leave. Therefore, in the past few years, they either handed the children over to their grandparents to take care of them, or sent them to their grandparents' homes in Jinhua, Zhejiang.
"The elderly are inevitably spoiled by their children, so the living arrangements during the holidays are always not ideal, but there is no way." Chen Qi said that when he heard that the school provides custody services this year, he immediately decided to sign up for his children, "It solved our big problem."
Pick up your mobile phone, search for the official account of the Youth Activity Center in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, enter the "Tao Activity" platform, and enter the word "Spring Break". Cheng Yan, head of the Compulsory Education Section of the Shangcheng District Education Bureau, showed reporters: In addition to 5 centralized custody points, there are also various free "play with spring break" activities organized by other schools in the district, as well as paid activities carried out by some institutions.
"Multi-level and multi-form services and activities meet the diverse needs of parents and students." Cheng Yan said that this year's spring break, the five centralized custody sites received a total of about 500 students.
In Lei Wanpeng's view, implementing the spring and autumn vacations of primary and secondary schools is a systematic project, involving the coordination between home, school and society, as well as the connection between multiple departments and multiple systems.
For example, the implementation of the paid leave system. During the interview, the respondents generally believed that the mismatch of parents' holiday time is the biggest obstacle to the implementation of spring and autumn vacations in primary and secondary schools. In Enshi, the Organization Department of the State Party Committee specially issued a document to implement the paid annual leave system, which ranks the spring and autumn holidays of primary and secondary schools along with the Qingming Festival and Labor Day, etc., and encourages and supports cadres and staff to take turns taking leave in combination with these holidays. In Hangzhou, due to the long implementation period, spring and autumn vacations in primary and secondary schools have become a locally agreed holiday. Parents will plan early, and most units allow employees with children of appropriate age to take leave. "Some parents have also come up with ways to travel 'mutually'. For example, if you are on vacation this year, I can't take a break, so you can help me take my children out. Next year, it will be the other way around." Kong Yongguo said.
For example, the quality and efficiency of primary and secondary schools in spring and autumn vacations have been improved. As early as 2004, the Hangzhou Municipal Education Bureau proposed that the spring and autumn vacation should be controlled by students independently, and students should not be given collective or disguised tutoring. Guangzhou Yuyan Middle School has made it clear that there will be no tutoring, no resumption of holidays, and zero homework during the five-day holiday. "If you don't write essays or handwritten newspapers, you will have to look like you have a holiday." Yin Xianwen said that there are also problems of changing educational concepts in schools and parents. "Health, friendship, and happiness are as important as learning."
For example, the coordination and cooperation between various regions and departments. The notice issued by the Enshi Prefecture Education Bureau mentioned that all localities should seek support from the public security and transportation department to ensure the safety of students' concentrated leave and go to school during spring or autumn breaks. Some Hangzhou citizens believe that there is a certain degree of "difficulty in purchasing tickets". From the perspective of staggered travel, the spring and autumn vacation schedules in various places should not be excessively convergent. Lei Wanpeng suggested that the spring and autumn vacations of primary and secondary schools will be promoted by local governments to better form a joint force.
"The government, schools, families, and society work together to solve a series of problems such as supporting policies, educational concepts, and social environment. Only when primary and secondary schools have a spring and autumn vacation can they be truly released and promoted." Lei Wanpeng said. (Yang Yan, Wang Yunna, Liu Jun, Guoqiang, Yu Wen)
[Editor in charge: Zhang Qiaosu]
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