On the 1st of August 2021, we shared the Opinions on Further Easing the Burden of Homework and Off-campus Training on Students in Compulsory Education Stage released on the 24th of July 2021, by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council. Since then, we keep getting queries from foreign teachers or training center owners regarding how the new policy will affect their job or business…One month has elapsed now, so we assume we can talk about it a little bit.
1. How to adjust the operation?
Actually, from the “double reduction” rumors to the official release of the opinions, a number of K12 education and training institutions, have rapidly transformed into quality education, vocational education or other fields. For example, New Oriental Training Schools in Tianjin and Xi’an changed its scope of business in June-July to expand language skills, arts, sports, science and technology training and parent-oriented family education consulting services.
In addition, there have been a number of fast-moving teaching and training institutions to launch aesthetic education, science and technology, etiquette training and other quality education products. Others have shifted their focus to tutoring on civil service examination or post-graduate entrance examination，language training, study abroad, drama, puzzles, reading, etc. In a phrase, “as a useful complement to out-of-school education”.
2. Language training
a. In the field of language training, English，Japanese and Russian are considered to be included in the curriculum of compulsory education, while other languages are not.
b.    English language training has always been the main sector in language training and shall  continue to be. However we must ask: how to identify what English training courses are considered to be discipline and non-discipline courses? In a discussion with an expert in this industry, the expert shared with us his personal opinions. This expert said that in the          screening of discipline and non-discipline training in compulsory education, attention should  be paid to the actual training content and form. If the objective of the course is to improve the score in tests, with repeated mechanical training as the main form and written work as a means of consolidation, and the national curriculum materials coincide with the content of the course, the course shall be managed in accordance with the subject category training. If the purpose of the course is to develop the students’ interests and hobbies, with students’ favorite training activities, the course shall be managed as non-disciplinary training.
“Simply put, if it’s about the history of words, grammar, reading comprehension, homework consolidation etc., the course belongs to the discipline; if there is no word, grammar, written homework, repeated exercises, but instead just English drama, oral hosting which students like, the course will be treated as non-disciplinary management.”
According to some official sources, a detailed instruction opinion shall be out soon to clarify all the confusion.
3. Vocational Education
Last but not the least, vocational education has been encouraged by the Government in recent years. In Hainan FTP, vocational education is opened to foreign direct investment. Maybe it’s a time to think about it?
