Study highlights rising school reluctance among teens

Zong Min, a psychologist at the China Foreign Affairs University, during an event organized by Tencent News

On The Agenda

A growing number of Chinese teenagers are experiencing school reluctance, with recent research revealing alarming trends. A study cited by psychologist Zong Min during a Tencent News event found that 24.6% of junior high students and 37.6% of senior high students in Guangzhou struggle with going to school, China Daily reported yesterday.

Conducted by Chen Yuxia from the Guangzhou Primary and Secondary School Health Promotion Center, the study points to social difficulties and academic pressure as key contributing factors.

Another 2022 study by psychologist Sun Tingting and colleagues found that one in five middle school students suffer from learning fatigue or school-related fear. These findings mirror a nationwide surge in school aversion during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as online learning disrupted routines and increased isolation.

Zong, who led a three-year psychological consultancy program while completing her PhD at Beijing Normal University, has witnessed the emotional toll this phenomenon takes on students and families. Many teens facing school refusal also experience mood disorders like depression or anxiety. “Parents often feel helpless,” Zong said, as quoted by China Daily. “But what we’re seeing goes beyond parenting – it’s a much more complex issue now.”

Drawing on both research and firsthand experience, Zong has launched a new initiative called Xin Niu Dai (Mental Bond) to rebuild students’ connection to school and learning. Introduced at Tencent News’ “Ideas” event, which supports grassroots innovations, the program aims to bridge students, teachers, and parents through collaborative solutions.

According to the report, Xin Niu Dai is built around three pillars: helping students discover inner resilience, encouraging teachers to recognize potential over performance, and equipping parents to support their child’s mental health. Zong is also working with experts to create a pamphlet to guide teens through emotional challenges and with a tech company to develop an AI-powered app to support the initiative.

Zong shared with China Daily a striking example: a 13-year-old boy who began skipping classes despite excelling in primary school. Though his family was stable and well-educated, he experienced intense physical symptoms – like stomachaches and heart palpitations – during school hours. “He wasn’t faking,” Zong emphasized. “He needed both medicine and psychological counseling. Emotional distress can manifest physically.”

Now head of the Center for Mental Health Counseling at China Foreign Affairs University, Zong hopes her program can become a scalable solution as more families face this growing crisis. “School refusal isn’t just personal – it’s a public health issue,” she said.