Education Ministry Issues Guidelines for Learning-by-Doing Science Education Initiative

China's Ministry of Education has issued Guidelines for the Learning-by-Doing Leadership Initiative in Science Education During Compulsory Education and launched the initiative. Students in grades 4–9 must complete at least one scientific-inquiry task of at least four class periods each semester; there is no additional requirement for grades 1–3. The guidelines provide six thematic examples including artificial intelligence and add performance assessment to students' comprehensive-quality records without a separate examination requirement.

The guidelines move science education from knowledge transmission toward hands-on practice and directly affect implementation during compulsory education. Including an AI theme gives basic education a policy basis and specific task examples. Schools must adjust plans for at least one inquiry task each semester in grades 4–9 and include it in student records. Teachers need project- and inquiry-based methods and may use generative AI and other digital technologies.