China’s once-thriving private tutoring industry has largely been pushed underground in the year since Beijing banned the private teaching of school curricula. Photo: Shutterstock
A year after China’s private tutoring crackdown, classes have moved underground as companies struggle to pivot
- Many parents are paying more than ever before to keep their kids in private classes, fearful they will lose their edge in China’s competitive education system
- China’s ban on for-profit private tutoring in July 2021 has also forced once lucrative educational businesses to pivot to live streaming and hardware
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China’s once-thriving private tutoring industry has largely been pushed underground in the year since Beijing banned the private teaching of school curricula. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s severe crackdown on private tutoring one year ago this month, which came on suddenly with an unexpected policy change, has forced many businesses to shut down and driven private classes underground, according to industry insiders and parents.
Last summer, Alice Wang booked four classes for her 10-year-old daughter in mathematics, Chinese literature, cello and ballet. This year, she has only kept the last two because of the policy shift that largely outlawed off-campus tutoring of school curricula.
Despite the cutback in classes, demand for additional training remains strong from parents who worry about their kids falling behind.
Preschool learning apps banned in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua
Beijing bans preschool learning apps as crackdown on private tutoring continues
- The official regulation is the latest move by Chinese authorities to reduce screen time and addiction to smartphones among kids
- Rule is likely to be followed elsewhere in China as many officials now take the view that online learning does more harm than good for kids
Preschool learning apps banned in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua
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