A screenshot quickly caught the attention of many parents on Chinese social media. It claims that an after-school educational institution, which is illegal under current education law, has been disguised as a "board game club" and secretly teaches subjects like Chinese literature.
The screenshot says after-school institutions are almost operating like secret services
In a recent epidemiologic investigation of Beijing's COVID-19, a board game club named Enjoy Hippo was identified as a high-risk area with two kids who tested COVID-positive. Enjoy Hippo claims they offer "enjoyable family activities for children and parents alike", but one of their ads highlighted their teachers having "years of experience in teaching and developing curriculums" in subjects like Chinese literature and history.
This news went viral on the Chinese internet, with many people lamenting the overwhelming pressure to enter higher education in China and the over-the-top disguise methods for educational institutions to avoid government inspections.
It is unclear whether Enjoy Hippo is really using the board games and activities to cover up the fact that it's an after-school education institution since many parents and customers also claim the rumor is false, saying that the organization does nothing but lead kids to play games and visit historical sites in costumes.
But it's not rare to see after-school education services finding creative ways to disguise themselves to avoid government inspections, sometimes even crazier than as a board game club.
Since the Chinese government announced in mid-2021 that it would ban after-school education companies from tutoring students in subjects already taught in school, the once booming trillion-dollar after-school education industry in China is in serious crisis, with many institutions forced to shut down. Teachers were laid off to find new career choices, but some tried to go undercover.
In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, housemaid companies provide "growing companions" that can ensure kids can "overcome difficulties in their studies" – private tutors.
Educational institutions also disguise themselves as bubble tea stores, where textbooks and homework are served instead of real bubble tea.
The large population and extremely competitive high school and college entrance exams have ensured that the demand for after-school education institutions will never disappear in China. After every attempt by the government to shut them down, they just reappear in different shapes, sizes and outfits.
Source: NetEase News WoshiPM