Policy Digest

Ads targeting youth for tutoring prohibited

Advertisements for off-campus tutoring targeting high school and primary school students and toddlers are no longer allowed to appear in public spaces, residential communities, online platforms or in the mainstream media, a statement said.

It also strictly prohibits the appearance of such ads on railways, subways, buses and bus stop shelters.

According to the statement, online platforms, mainstream media and owners of outdoor advertising spaces must examine ads they run and avoid those about off-campus tutoring.

The statement, drafted by the State Administration for Market Regulation and seven other departments, was released on Nov 9 in an effort to implement a guideline issued in July aimed at further easing the burden of homework and restricting off-campus tutoring that was becoming an increasing part of the lives of students already in compulsory education.

Further antivirus action for day cares urged

Local health authorities should take measures to prevent COVID-19 in day care institutions for children under 3, the National Health Commission said in a statement issued on Nov 8.

The risk of outbreak at these institutions increases in autumn and winter when colder temperatures lead to more indoor activities and less-efficient ventilation, it said, adding that local health authorities must work hard to prevent outbreaks and ensure the safety of children.

Authorities should have a full understanding of the complexity of the fight against the virus, the importance of containing it and the fact that long-term efforts are needed to control the pandemic, the commission said.

It also asked them to ensure that institutions, parents and government departments do their part to fend off COVID-19.

Authorities should also help institutions create a plan to prevent and control the virus, strengthen health management of children and staff workers and work to curb the spread of influenza and other viruses common in the colder seasons.

They should also carry out special inspections, punish institutions that don't take the required preventive measures and make sure there are no loopholes in prevention efforts.

New manufacturing centers to be set up

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Nov 9 that it has approved plans to establish four national manufacturing innovation centers in three provinces.

The centers will focus on innovation in four areas－5G medium and high frequency devices, advanced glass materials, high-end smart home appliances and voice-related technologies like speech recognition and synthesis.

Companies in Guangdong, Anhui and Shandong provinces will create the centers. No dates have been announced for completion.

Plan looks to cultivate more skilled workers

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has issued a plan to improve vocational education during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period to provide sufficient skilled workers for China's socioeconomic development.

One of the goals is for vocational schools to enroll at least 3.6 million students by 2025.

The plan also asked local human resources authorities to carefully implement the Vocational Education Law, as well as a guideline issued by the ministry in 2018 to improve the welfare and salaries of skilled workers.