After-school tutoring to change course under new regulations

GUANGZHOU/SHENYANG－Zhong Kaitong, a fourth grade pupil at a primary school in the southern city of Guangzhou, enjoys a much more energetic summer vacation this year.

Instead of English or mathematics courses she used to attend, her vacation is packed with fun and laughter, playing badminton and basketball in the playground.

"It's great fun to go back to school and exercise with my friends," says Kaitong with a bright smile.

Chinese authorities have in recent months rolled out a series of strict regulations to deal with after-school training and ease the burden on students undergoing compulsory education.

In late May, authorities ordered the comprehensive management of off-campus training institutions and a tougher crackdown on unqualified operations, false advertising, profiteering, and improper links with schools.

Last month, central authorities introduced a guideline to ease the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring for young students. It details requirements in areas such as the reduction of homework and improving quality of education and after-class services provided by schools.

The guideline stipulates that local governments shall stop approving the establishment of new off-campus, tutoring institutions of curriculum subjects for students in compulsory education, and that those currently in operation shall be registered as nonprofit institutions.

Local educational authorities have responded quickly, with many demanding the suspension of such off-campus tutoring for children during the summer vacation.

A visit to several training centers around a primary school in Tiexi district in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, found empty classrooms.

Such tutoring has been suspended for about a week and will not be available for the whole summer vacation, they say.

Some tutoring institutions are actively seeking transformation under the new guidelines. A manager in charge of one major tutoring company says 70 percent of their business has been affected, and that they are exploring new service areas to adapt to the new policy.

New Oriental Education and Technology Group, a provider of private educational services in China, launched new consulting services, off-campus day care and nursery services, as well as training of art, sports, science and technology after the new policy came into force. Gaotu Group, a Beijing-based education and training firm, is targeting a new growth opportunity in the continuing education sector.

The Ministry of Education has also pledged to implement full coverage for after-school programs, which will provide both enrichment and child care, in compulsory education schools.

Summer has never been so boisterous at the No 9 Primary School in Shenyang. The kids are running toward each other with open arms in the playground, beautiful melodies float out of the classrooms, and the whole campus is enveloped by the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked cookies.

They are fully immersed in the 27 extracurricular courses, ranging from rock climbing, judo, soccer and chess to English programming, that are on offer for students attending day care programs during summer vacation.

"We have also fully expanded students' activity space and opened libraries, reading rooms and playgrounds during the summer holiday," says Hou Mingfei, principal of the school. "Nearly 300 students have signed up for the activities and more than 30 teachers have volunteered."

Putting the brakes on after-school tutoring does not mean that the demand no longer exists. In a country where parents prize good education, excellent grades mean more career options and even life-changing opportunities.

A survey showed that some parents would arrange on-campus after-school classes for kids, or are inclined to invite teachers to tutor at home.

"I've received calls and leaflets in the past few days, recommending one-on-one or one-on-two tutoring," says Zhang Yuan, a parent in Shenyang, whose daughter is a junior middle school student.

Yet the majority of parents are supportive of the new move. "Subject learning is enough at school and we hope to improve the children's overall quality of life during holidays," says a parent surnamed Zhou in Guangzhou.

"Some of the training centers have been feeding off parents' anxiety, while ramping up pressure on children to drive business. The new regulation is a big relief for both parents and children, and has been well-received among parents," says Liu Xiaowei, a mother in Shenyang.

In June, the Ministry of Education set up a new department to supervise off-campus education and training.

All these moves have sent a very clear signal to bring education back as a public welfare, and guide the educational training industry to develop in a direction conducive to improving students' comprehensive quality, says Chen Xianzhe, a professor at South China Normal University.

Xinhua