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

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.

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.

教育部 (2025). 中小学生学籍管理办法（教基〔2025〕1 号，第十六条）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202502/content_7002620.htm；教育部办公厅 (2025). 进一步加强中小学生心理健康工作十条措施（教基厅〔2025〕2 号）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202510/content_7045528.htm；教育部 (2021). 未成年人学校保护规定（教育部令第 50 号，第十二条）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-06/02/content_5614946.htm

In the author’s experience, before applying ask three things: what medical certificate is needed, how enrollment is recorded in the system during leave, and whether return is to the same grade or one grade down. Grade B because conditions for leave, materials to submit, and how return is joined are all set by provincial education departments; the national level only builds a frame. Article 12 of the Regulations on School Protection of Minors (未成年人学校保护规定) also requires compulsory-education schools to keep reporting and filing systems for dropouts, leave, and long absences. So leave is something schools already process, not a special favor for you alone.