Chinese authorities have intensified their crackdown on after-school tutoring centers as part of a broader effort to reduce academic pressure on students. Since the introduction of the “double reduction” policy in 2021, aimed at limiting both homework and off-campus tutoring for core academic subjects, the government has conducted raids and inspections across multiple provinces including Guangdong, Inner Mongolia, and Hubei.

In Huiyang, a southern city, officials recently staged a raid on a tutoring center, documenting the intervention through videos posted online. Similar actions have taken place elsewhere, with authorities in Changsha releasing the names and addresses of 113 unlicensed tutors as part of a public naming and shaming campaign. These moves underscore the government’s campaign to regulate after-school education and curb what it sees as an excessive academic burden on students.

The policy targets for-profit tutoring in core subjects such as mathematics, science, and history, while allowing extracurricular activities like dance or coding classes to continue. Despite the restrictions, demand for supplemental academic instruction remains robust, driving many tutoring services underground or into disguised forms. Some parents have resorted to veiling academic coaching under permitted subjects, such as a father in Beijing who enrolls his son in a calligraphy school while actually pursuing advanced math training.

This suppression of the commercial tutoring industry has had significant market consequences. Leading listed education companies like New Oriental and TAL have seen their valuations decline by nearly 90 percent, wiping out approximately US$100 billion in market value since the policy took effect. These companies have responded by shifting focus toward adult education and non-academic offerings, while smaller private tutors continue to operate covertly.

Tutors interviewed in Beijing report that most no longer advertise openly. Many operate based on word of mouth, offering compressed or advanced lessons despite official prohibitions. Prices have risen sharply due to reduced supply yet persistent demand, intensifying educational disparities. One parent revealed paying nearly 20,000 yuan (about S$3,800) per semester for disguised math tutoring alongside English classes. Concurrently, parents invest heavily in allowed extracurricular activities, such as French language, vocal training, dance, and gymnastics, reflecting an escalating competition for academic and developmental advantages.

To address the underlying challenge, authorities have introduced a “5+2” school model in which students remain in school for two additional hours after regular classes, allowing schools to provide supervised homework help as well as enrichment programs in sports and the arts. However, lack of adequate funding and resources has limited the effectiveness of this initiative, with many schools merely supervising homework rather than offering substantive alternatives.

At the core of the ongoing tensions is the highly competitive nature of education and employment in China. Extra academic tutoring remains widely perceived by families as essential for maintaining or improving social and economic standing. While the government’s intent is to relieve pressure on students and reduce inequality, the current approach has created a complex underground market and exacerbated disparities, privileging wealthier families who can afford costly, covert tutoring arrangements.

Experts note that the long-term impact may depend on broader social shifts, including economic growth and demographic changes that could ease competitive pressures. For now, the crackdown highlights the challenges of reshaping entrenched educational practices and social expectations within a population where academic success is deeply linked to future prospects.