Parents can request a temporary leave of absence for their child; the school must retain the child’s enrollment status for up to one year.

11. Parents can request a temporary leave of absence for their child; the school must retain the child’s enrollment status for up to one year.

Cost: No cost involved. Parents or other legal guardians must submit a formal request to the school. The main challenge is first accepting that the child needs a break from school for a while.

In plain terms: A temporary leave of absence is a fully established procedure. Parents or legal guardians submit a request, which the school then approves and forwards to the relevant education authorities for final authorization. Each request is valid for no more than one year; if the child still needs time off after that, a new request must be filed. During this period, the school is legally required to keep the child’s enrollment status intact. Therefore, the idea that taking a leave of absence “ruins” a child’s education has no basis in current policy. Exact implementation details vary by province; parents should contact the school’s academic affairs office or local education bureau for specifics.

Benefit: Article 16 of the “Administrative Measures for Student Enrollment Records of Primary and Secondary School Students” outlines the proper process for granting a temporary leave of absence. Parents or legal guardians initiate the request, which the school then forwards to higher education authorities for approval. Upon the child’s return, the school must promptly handle all necessary re-enrollment paperwork. Each approved leave cannot exceed one year; if further time off is required, a new application must be submitted. While the child is away, the school must maintain their enrollment status, effectively preserving their place in the system. Detailed procedures for leave and re-enrollment are determined by provincial education authorities (nationwide, issued January 2025). Additionally, the “Ten Measures for Strengthening Mental Health Support for Primary and Secondary School Students” encourages establishing clear pathways for students recovering from mental health conditions to return to school, while also mandating that schools develop emergency response plans for psychological crises on campus.

Evidence grade: B

Sources: Ministry of Education of China (2025). Measures for the Management of Student Status of Primary and Secondary School Students (Jiaoji [2025] No. 1, Article 16). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202502/content_7002620.htm>; Ministry of Education of China (2025). Ten Measures to Further Strengthen the Mental Health of Primary and Secondary School Students (Jiaoji Department [2025] No. 2). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202510/content_7045528.htm>

Notes: Before applying, be sure to clarify three key points: what kind of medical documentation is required, how the child’s enrollment status is tracked while on leave, and whether they’ll return to their original grade level or be placed in a lower one. This recommendation is graded B because while a national framework exists, specific eligibility criteria, required paperwork, and re-enrollment protocols are all determined locally by provincial education authorities. Furthermore, the “Regulations on Protecting Schooling Rights for Minors” requires all compulsory education schools to maintain records of students who drop out, take extended leaves, or are absent for prolonged periods; this means the procedure is already standard practice within the system, rather than an exception granted solely to your child.