New tutoring rules LIKE many foreigners in Shenzhen and across China, I have spent time in the education industry that the government is currently heavily scrutinizing. There is definitely a need for the education industry to be properly examined, with numerous charlatans and swindlers ripping money from unknowing parents. These companies seek to make a quick buck from families that only want the best for their child or children. However, the current proposed set of regulations may not have the outcome that the government intends. It has been suggested that the real goal of these new laws is to reduce the cost of education for families. Families are currently thought to spend tens of thousands of renminbi a year on average to boost their kids’ chance of getting an edge over their classmates. A scenario likely to happen is that parents will seek out native-speaking foreigners to come to their homes and give face-to-face English classes to their children. While this has been happening for many years, this will doubtlessly increase as middle-class parents seek to provide any advantage. Hiring private tutors will increase, not reduce, the cost of education for families. There is a much bigger question — will these regulations, in conjunction with other policy changes, result in an increase in the birth rate across China? From my point of view, I do not think that it is enough. The housing prices are too high, wages are largely stagnant, and the pressure on young couples is simply too high. This is not a China-specific problem but rather a global problem. There are no easy solutions to this, but policymakers need to look at the micro-level as to why people do not have more children. The fact that things are expensive is not the only reason for the drop in the birth rate. Chris Edwards via email Helmet rule enforcement SHENZHEN is enforcing regulations against e-bike drivers not wearing helmets. Some e-bike drivers drive like suicidal maniacs and we need strict enforcement of those rules to make our roads safe. Quite often pedestrians have to jump aside in order not to get hit and I more than once during a 10-minute drive to office have to go full in my brakes or have to make a move to avoid a collision as one of these “maniacs” runs a red light, comes around the corner on the wrong side of the road, or throws themselves in front of my car on a road where they are not allowed to drive. I therefore call upon traffic police to do more than enforcing a helmet rule. Start enforcing traffic rules for all road users. To get a better hold of the most notorious e-bike drivers I propose that all couriers have to wear a vest of the company they work for and have a designated number printed on that. This will make it easier for cameras to read and for the general public to report them. The city needs to not only fine the couriers but also the companies they work for. Jeffry Kuperus via email | 