After-class services in Beijing step up for education quality

Schools for compulsory education in Beijing will provide at least two hours' of after-class services for all students on weekdays starting with the coming semester, Beijing Education Commission spokesman Li Yi said at a news conference on Tuesday.

As a follow-up move of the "double reduction" policy, the regulations aim at promoting comprehensive development of students with diverse after-class services, including homework tutoring, physical exercise and interest activities, Li said.

The "double reduction" guideline aims to "effectively reduce" the burden of excessive homework and after-school tutoring on students within a year, and achieve "significant outcomes" within three years.

Xiao Wen, deputy head of the Education Commission of Chaoyang district, said the district would cooperate with local institutions, such as cultural and artistic venues, and science and technology museums, to enrich students' social practice in after-class services.

To further reduce students' academic burden, the policy requires improvement of homework quality.

Beginning in September, Beijing will reduce inefficient homework and examinations that contain repetition and punitive content.

Feng Xiaojie contributed to this story.