 There
are two school systems at the compulsory education
stage in China: the 6-3 system (six years of primary
school and three years of middle school education)
and the five-four system (five years of primary
school and four years of middle school education).
Class hour differs slightly for different grades.
Generally speaking, classes last 40 minutes each
for primary school students, with total weekly class
hours standing at 31-33, of which 23-25 class hours
are for various courses (as against activities).
Classes last 45 minutes each for junior middle school
students, with total weekly class hours standing
at 36-37, of which 32-33 class hours are for courses.
Physical training, labor and scientific and technological
activities are arranged at times outside class hours
for courses. There are a summer vacation and a winter
vacation for primary and middle school students.
The summer vacation lasts about eight weeks, usually
from early July to the end of August. According
to the existing school system, a new school year
begins after the summer vacation. The winter vacation
lasts about four weeks, usually in January and February. |
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Extra-curriculum
activities in primary and middle schools are fairly
rich. After class or over weekends, many schools
offer guidance classes on music, physical culture,
drawing, astrology, geography, martial  arts,
computer operation, model airplanes, dancing and
writing. Students are free to attend. In summer
or winter vacations, students, after doing a limited
amount of homework, can either rest at home or
take part in summer and winter camps, which focus
on particular themes, including computer, popular
science, photography, English and the Internet.
They can also take part in various art classes
and competitions of chess, picture puzzle, calligraphy,
drawing, writing, bridge playing and math.
Some
school has opened weekend club for the students
to hold culture and sports matches (e.g. body-building
gym match, match of skipping the rope to challenge
the Genius Record, skateboard, skate-wheel, bicycle,
baseball, tennis, softball, football, etc.) in
order
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