China Tightens Reins on EdTech in New Blow to Private Tutors
- The Ministry of Education published a new set of restrictions
- The new policies further pummel private education services
The New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. application featuring elementary school summer packages on a smartphone.
Photographer: Qilai Shen/BloombergChina will further tighten oversight over its battered online education sector, in a clear signal that Beijing’s not yet prepared to unshackle the private tutoring arena despite loosening curbs on tech giants.
Edtech companies plunged after the Ministry of Education published a new set of restrictions that limit the fees and operating times of private tutoring services for primary and middle school students. Firms offering non-curricular tutoring will be required to end physical classes by 8:30pm and online sessions by 9pm, while limiting one-time charges to 5,000 yuan ($720) and mandating a special trust account with state-designated banks for pre-paid fees.