Known as "double reduction"-reducing students' homework and after-school tutoring pressure－the new policy aims to alleviate excessive academic workloads placed on primary and middle school students.

The long-anticipated guideline includes a number of strict measures, such as requiring curriculum-based tutoring institutions to register as nonprofit organizations. These institutions are also banned from advertising, raising money from the public or hiring teachers who live overseas to conduct training.

In addition to reducing the amount and difficulty of homework, the guideline details requirements for improving the quality of after-school services offered by schools.

Zhao said he hopes the guideline can be strictly implemented at grassroots level as soon as possible.

He added that in recent years, parents and students in urban areas have been involved in an endless rat race by signing up for all types of after-school tutoring courses. "It is exhausting. When everyone takes such courses, this just raises the bar higher for school enrollment and has little real benefit," Zhao said.