The Promotion and Obstacles of the Double Reduction Policy for Educational Equity

Abstract

China’s Double Reduction policy advances educational equity by reducing student workload and regulating extracurricular tutoring. The policy’s original intent is laudable, and some progress has been made in balancing educational resources and reducing the financial burden on families. Furthermore, this policy seeks to achieve a better study-life balance by reducing the academic burden so that students will have more time to develop their all-around qualities. However, its implementation has faced several challenges, including inconsistent policy implementation, regional disparities in education resources, chronic parental anxiety about education, and social pressure. These issues undermine the effectiveness of the policy. In this context, this essay comprehensively analyses the present state of the Double Reduction policy, identifies the primary challenges, and proposes corresponding recommendations for improvement. These recommendations include establishing a sound long-term evaluation mechanism, increasing investment in rural education, guiding parents to manage educational expectations, and strengthening the vocational training system. Continuously optimizing and improving the implementation of the policy, will ultimately promote balanced education in China and help students grow more holistically.