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China's 'Double Reduction' Policy: Impacts of the new regulations for off-campus tutoring in core school subjects

Author:富有国际教育 Release Time:2022-02-10

China has issued regulations for off-campus tutoring services banning private firms from offering after-school training in core school subjects. The move has raised concerns among both parents and private education institutions. You Yang has the details. 

The new regulations ban local officials from approving new private education companies that offer after-school training on core subjects to elementary and middle school students.

The existing centers will have to register as nonprofit entities. Online or in-person classes of core subjects for children under the age of six are also banned. There've been mixed reactions among parents.

"I think it's a good move. We can bring our children to learn more interest-oriented courses, such as painting, dancing and drawing. I hope my son could have a more relaxed childhood."

"My son is thirteen years old. He is in the second year of junior high school. We are a bit worried because if his classmates find other ways to receive after-school training, he could fall behind."

The move has hit some education companies. And some of them have already started laying off their employees.

AMANDA SHAO Online English Teacher "All of our kindergarten courses have been called off and some of our classes for primary school students have been cancelled."

PIPPO.XU Founder, PJ English "We are certainly facing some layoffs. It's easier for young teachers to find a new job. But for older teachers who have been teaching Chinese, or math for a long time, it's a bit difficult to shift to another job."

Data released by Beijing Normal University shows that the education industry provides about 10 million jobs in China.

When the new regulations were announced, some of China's leading tutoring service providers, like New Oriental, and TAL Education have lost more than half their value on the US stock market. But experts say the policy aims to regulate the education sector and will benefit students in the long run.

GE JIANXIONG Professor, Department of Social Sciences Chinese Ministry of Education "I believe the policy aims to prevent private firms from treating education as a business. Some institutions charge too much money and put pressure on parents. The policy can cause short-term financial loss for some education companies; but in the long run, it could help students by reducing their competition for attending after-school classes."

At the same time, some institutions are trying to find a new way out.

WANG JIA Founder, Lingo "Since we are focused on competence education, vocational education and international Chinese education, we are little affected by this policy. Actually, the 'double reduction' policy offers us a standard."

YOU YANG Shenyang "Although the 'double reduction' policy is aimed at reducing students’ off-campus learning load, experts say it would be better for authorities to release more detailed guidelines on how after-school training institutions carry out the policies in their daily operations, so they know which part of their businesses they can cut, and which parts they can keep. You Yang, CGTN, Shenyang Liaoning Province."