Students learn dancing at an after-school activity in Jiaxiang county, Jining, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Primary and junior high school students in Jiaxiang county, Jining have benefited from the nation's recently implemented "double reduction" policy which aims to relieve students of the burden of excessive homework and reduce the need for after-school tutoring. 

Due to this policy, students can now spend more time after school pursuing their hobbies and interests.

Many students are happy about the change.

"My dream is to play beautiful melodies," said a second-grade student Yan Yiyi, who joined the folk music club of the Experimental Primary School of Jiaxiang County.

According to Wu Cuicui, the school's music teacher, the folk music club was part of the school's efforts to promote traditional Chinese art among the young generation, and the students have been enthusiastic about joining.

So far, diverse after-class services, including homework tutoring, physical exercise and interest activities have been offered at all primary and junior high schools in the county to promote the comprehensive development of students and alleviate the pressure on parents.