(Yicai Global) Nov. 15 -- TAL Education Group, one of China’s leading educational technology firms, is to terminate its curriculum-based off-campus tutoring services and offer a new set of courses that are still targeted at students aged two to 18 years.

TAL will end its curriculum-based offering on Dec. 31, founder and Chief Executive Officer Zhang Bangxin said in an internal company circular on Nov. 13. The Beijing-based company will shift to providing courses that focus on culture, including science, sport and the arts.

China’s educational and tutoring companies have been seeking new business paths after the government brought out a policy in July to ease the burden on students from homework and off-campus tutoring. Koolearn Technology Holding has also said it will end its curriculum-based off-campus tutoring services before the end of this month. 

Zhang said TAL will focus on developing its overseas business as well, while continuing to invest in artificial intelligence, live streaming, Big Data and educational content. The firm will also explore and incubate new businesses, such as publishing digital content, educational hardware and trusteeship services. 

There will be personnel changes as a result, Zhang said. Liu Qingxun, who currently oversees TAL’s Xueersi online school, will take charge of the new courses and new business exploration.

Chief Technology Officer Tian Mi will handle TAL’s tech services business, which provides end-to-end solutions for educational institutions in China and abroad. Chief Operating Officer Liu Yachao will take charge of overseas schools development, while Chief Financial Officer Peng Zhuangzhuang will be responsible for investment, business expansion and collaborations overseas. 

Editors: Xu Wei, Tom Litting