This article is reproduced from [CCTV News Client];
Recently, many places have successively announced the specific arrangements for the autumn break of primary and secondary schools in 2026. There are also statements on the Internet that the autumn break will be “on the same day nationwide”, “automatically synchronized across the province”, and “not taking the autumn break is a violation”. Are these statements accurate? How should primary and secondary schools spend their autumn vacation? Let’s look at the experts’ interpretation.
Autumn vacation refers to an additional short vacation for primary and secondary school students in the autumn semester that is different from winter and summer vacations. There are some misunderstandings on the Internet about the scope of autumn vacation, vacation time and whether schools can adjust it independently.
Experts said that there are currently no uniform mandatory regulations at the national level on the implementation period and vacation time of autumn vacation for primary and secondary schools. Whether each locality implements it and how to arrange it should be based on the specific local policies issued.
Li Xiaoqiang, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Educational Sciences: There is no mandatory unified requirement at the national level, saying which school period and time must be unified across the country, or it must be based on the policies issued by each locality. Under this premise, schools can also flexibly adjust according to specific local regulations. Where there is no clear policy yet, it does not mean it is a violation. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of spring and autumn holidays, not the format.
Judging from the announced autumn holiday arrangements, there are differences in holiday time and number of days across various regions. Some areas connect the 3- or 4-day autumn break with weekends or other holidays to form a continuous rest period. However, this belongs to the specific arrangement of the local school calendar and does not mean that autumn vacation can automatically overlap with legal holidays.
In September 2025, nine departments including the Ministry of Commerce issued “Several Policies and Measures on Expanding Service Consumption”, proposing that on the premise that the total number of vacation days and the total amount of teaching time remain unchanged, qualified localities are encouraged to scientifically adjust the teaching and vacation time of each school year, explore the setting of spring and autumn vacations for primary and secondary schools, and shorten the winter and summer vacations accordingly.
“Carrying out practical activities” during the spring and autumn holidays does not mean “mandating registration for classes”
In addition to how to spend the autumn vacation, how to spend the holidays is also a concern of many parents. Experts said that the spring and autumn holidays encourage social practice, study tours and other activities, but “carrying out practical activities” does not mean “mandatory registration for classes”, nor does it mean “no holiday certificate without payment.”
Li Xiaoqiang, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Educational Sciences: Studying is first of all based on volition and is not a mandatory action. The choice lies with parents and students. Another very important principle of research is based on public welfare. Some schools may use autumn break time to organize study trips, and this activity must also be based on a voluntary principle.
How to let your children have a good autumn break?
You might as well leave more “blank space”
How to take the autumn vacation, different places have different arrangements. After the autumn break, how to make the children’s life more fulfilling and meaningful? Some people are looking forward to taking their children on off-peak travel, while others are faced with the problem of taking care of children while their parents are at work. How to make fall break truly count?
Experts said that to make the autumn break truly effective, schools must first coordinate teaching and holiday arrangements to avoid increasing the burden on students by adjusting holidays. At the same time, students should also be given time to explore independently and relax physically and mentally.
Li Xiaoqiang, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Educational Sciences: From the school’s perspective, don’t rush to reduce teaching time because of the spring and autumn holidays, otherwise it will put an extra burden on students. At the same time, it is also discouraged to give students homework during the spring and autumn vacations. There can be some exploratory activities with target tasks, but overall students should still be given a rare blank time.
Implement the paid leave system for employees to create conditions for accompanying children
In addition to school science arrangements, family and social support are equally important. Experts suggest implementing a paid leave system for employees to create conditions for parents to accompany their children; at the same time, strengthening the supply of public welfare services to meet the holiday needs of different families.
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