Chinese authorities introduced a set of guidelines to ease the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring for students undergoing compulsory education in late July. This fall semester is the first semester for primary and secondary schools to implement the new double reduction policy.

For the past few days, reporters from Pingtan CMC have been visiting schools in Pingtan, an island city off E China's Fujian province, to observe the changes that have taken place.   

“Less homework,” said Wang Junyi, an eighth grader from Pingtan Chengnan School joyfully.

Lin Xinwen, the headteacher of Pingtan Chengnan School, said that the school has been making progressive efforts to reduce the burden of students' schoolwork. “Teachers should coordinate with each other and balance the students' homework.”

Students pictured having art class at Pingtan Chengnan School.

In addition, after-school services have been provided in 42 compulsory education schools in Pingtan, part of efforts to solve the parents’ troubles of“early dismissal, difficult pickups, and unattended school children.”

Students pictured having PE class on the afternoon of September 15 at Pingtan No. 1 School.

The reporters were informed that Pingtan No. 1 School guarantees at least 2 hours of after-school services during the school day. The services include physical exercise, homework tutoring, interest development, etc. 

 Students pictured reciting Chinese text at the Aoqian Central Primary School.

The policy also covers monitoring after-school tutoring institutions, including tuition fees, employee management, tutoring material, etc. "Violators will be dealt with," said Liu Peiqin, Director of the Basic Education Division of the Social Affairs Bureau of Pingtan.

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