(Yicai Global) April 2 -- The authorities in China have ordered gaming platforms to stop underage users playing online between the hours of 10.00 p.m. and 8.00 a.m. every day to make sure primary and middle school students get enough sleep.

The order forms part of an education ministry document published that sets out more detailed regulations on class times at schools and off-campus tutoring centers.

Teachers and parents should make sure that primary school kids sleep for 10 hours a day, junior high school students for nine hours, and senior high school students for eight hours, according to the document posted on the ministry’s website today.

The ministry stipulates that primary school classes should not start before 8.20 a.m., while those in secondary schools should not begin earlier than 8.00 a.m.

Schools are not allowed to ask students to arrive early in order to take part in group activities. Off-campus tutoring must end no later than 8.30 p.m.

In addition, local education departments, together with other government departments, need to strengthen oversight of online education platforms and gaming.

Localities can use technology in their supervision, making sure that live online teaching ends no later than 9.00 p.m. and game services are not provided to minors between 10.00 p.m. and 8.00 a.m.

Editor: Peter Thomas