On June 21, 2021, the South China Morning Post published Zhou Xin’s article with this long title: “China is logically cracking down on its private tutoring sector, but why is Beijing taming it now?”

Mr. Zhou’s “analysis” would have been much more interesting and relevant if it addressed the heart of the matter: Can Beijing tame private tutors? 

No, Beijing can’t. This is exactly why Beijing is making such a big deal about its effort to resolve the tutoring issue. When you don’t have much result to show, you’d better let the world know that you die trying. Beijing has conveniently found an apologist in the South China Morning Post.

Meanwhile, the tutoring issue remains unresolved because it is too much a hard nut to crack. In a nutshell, the tutoring issue is a money issue. Money talks on and off-campus in China. Better-off school children have an edge when it comes to examination-oriented tutoring. 

In the United States, we have affirmative action benefiting disadvantaged children. Of course, affirmative action alone is no panacea for education-system ills.

Now, imagine what it is like in China where affirmative action is a totally alien concept. No wonder children from poor families feel so alienated. Their parents can hardly afford private tutoring. Upward mobility? Keep dreaming.

Not too long ago, media-hyped Wang “frost boy” Fuman ignited poverty debates across China. Last time I checked, Fuman was no longer Beijing’s “wunderkind.” He is not forgotten, though, being a friend of a California family. He may still end up unexpectedly well. But, what about other frost boys and girls?

--- Lingyang Jiang

South China Morning Post: “China has created a department to oversee its off-campus tutoring market, bringing regulatory oversight to teachers and curriculums, spelling trouble for an industry that has proven attractive to venture capital.” Photo: Xinhua