Changes in schools under the “double reduction” policy in mainland China

Private tutoring has long been a significant way for families to seek educational advantages outside mainstream schooling. However, in July 2021, the Chinese government enacted the “double reduction” policy, which aims to reduce students’ learning burden brought about by homework and private tutoring. In this context, the amount of homework was significantly reduced and private tutoring was massively banned. As a response, many schools introduced after-school services to offer extra learning support to students in the form of self-study with schoolteachers’ guidance. This policy tried to re-establish the leading position of mainstream schooling and inevitably led to considerable changes in schools, such as their operating models, curricula, and instructional strategies.

This study analyzes the changes in formal schooling under the “double reduction” policy from the perspective of policy narrative. It examines school changes in three dimensions: (1) education concepts, (2) school curriculum: after-school service, and (3) home-school partnership. Based on the discussion of these three changed dimensions, this study also analyzes relevant challenges and problems brought about by the policy and then offers corresponding implications. Copyright © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Huixuan Xu; individual chapters, the contributors.