To explore the mechanism of the "Double Reduction" policy, this paper first reviews the reasons why burden-reduction policies were frequently issued but had limited effectiveness before the "Double Reduction" policy was promulgated. It then summarizes the impact of the "Double Reduction" policy on various stakeholders in the basic education ecology since its implementation four years ago. Based on this, the paper analyzes the policy's mechanism and issues requiring attention during its execution. The conclusion is that the "Double Reduction" policy has achieved significant results, but reforming educational evaluation methods remains key to thoroughly solving the burden reduction problem. Furthermore, attention should be paid to students facing significant academic pressure during policy implementation, and reasonable methods should be adopted to guarantee their diverse learning needs.

Bo Li. Why the "Double Reduction" Policy Can Reduce the Burden on Primary and Secondary School Students. International Journal of New Developments in Education (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 8: 95-100. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJNDE.2025.070815.

[1] Zeng, X., Yin, T., Jiang, F., et al. (2016). An Empirical Study on Differentiated Promotion of Burden Reduction for Primary School Students. Shanghai Journal of Educational Research, 000(003), 10-13. DOI:10.16194/j.cnki.31-1059/g4.2016.03.003. 

[2] Chen, C., Chen, W., Dong, G., Sun, Y., & Lin, C. (2011). Excessive Academic Burden on Middle School Students: Extent, Reasons, and Countermeasures—Based on a National Survey of Learning Status and Academic Burden of Middle School Students. Journal of the Chinese Society of Education, (07), 11-16. DOI:CNKI:SUN:ZJYX.0.2011-07-008

[3] Chen, Z. (2021). An Investigation and Study on the Academic Burden of Primary and Secondary School Students in Haizhu District, Guangzhou. Survey of Education, 10(23), 71-74. DOI:10. 16070/j. cnki. cn45-1388/g4s.2021.23.023. 

[4] Zhang, F. (2020). The Essence of Academic Burden: Students' Negative Learning Experience. Basic Education Curriculum, (09), 78-80.

[5] Gao, X., Wan, Y., & Cao, X. (2020). Research Progress on the Relationship between Educational Factors and Myopia in Children and Adolescents. Chinese Journal of School Health, 41(11), 1753-1756. DOI:10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2020.11.041. 

[6] Yang, X., Luo, S., Song, N., Zhu, D., Li, S., & Zhang, H. (2016). An Evaluation Study on "Reducing Burden and Improving Quality" in China's Compulsory Education—Report Based on the Third-Party Evaluation of Compulsory Education. Journal of The Chinese Society of Education, (06), 42-46+63. 

[7] Liu, J., & Wang, Y. (2020). Why Have the Burden-Reduction Policies for Primary and Secondary Schools Been Ineffective Since Reform and Opening-Up. Teaching and Administration, (24).

[8] Gu, X., & She, L. (2020). The Dilemmas and Outlets for Provincial Governments Promoting a New Round of National Burden-Reduction Policies—A Policy Analysis Based on Burden-Reduction Plans from 23 Regions. Research in Educational Development, 40(Z2), 32-39. DOI:10.14121/j.cnki. 1008-3855. 2020.z2.007. 

[9] Zhao, S., & Mei, H. (2021). Analysis of the Implementation Status, Deviation, and Governance of Burden-Reduction Policies for Primary and Secondary School Students. Journal of Inner Mongolia Normal University (Educational Science Edition), 34(02), 14-19+64.

[10] Ge, X., & Zhang, L. (2019). The Blockage in the Implementation of China's Burden-Reduction Policy and Countermeasure Analysis—From the Perspective of the "Mazmanian-Sabatier Model". Research in Educational Development, 39(02), 1-7. DOI:10.14121/j.cnki.1008-3855.2019.02.003. 

[11] Chen, J. (2021). A Game Analysis of the Failure of Educational Burden-Reduction Policy Implementation. Theory Observation, (01), 131-134. DOI:10.16070/j.cnki.cn45-1388/g4s.2021.19.025. 

[12] Liu, W. (2021). Research on Student Burden Reduction from the Perspective of Structuralist Educational Philosophy. Survey of Education, 10(19), 78-82. DOI:10.16070/j.cnki. cn45-1388/g4s. 2021. 19.025. 

[13] Wang, J., Katz, I., & Yue, J. (2021). Quality Education Policy, Neoliberalism and the Rise of Shadow Education in China. China Youth Study, (07), 1-10. DOI:10.19633/j.cnki.11-2579/d.2021.0109. 

[14] Fu, X., Zhang, K., & Chen, X. (2021). *Report on National Mental Health Development in China (2019-2020)*. Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press.

[15] Ren, Q. (2022). A Survey on the Mentality of Students, Parents, and Teachers Under the "Double Reduction" Context and Suggestions for Countermeasures. Jiangsu Education, (08), 40-42+45.

[16] Zhou, X., & Guo, Y. (2022). The Key to Reducing the Burden of After-School Homework Lies in Improving the Effectiveness of Classroom Teaching—Reflections Triggered by the "Double Reduction" Policy. Journal of Sichuan Normal University (Social Sciences Edition), 49(01), 110-116. DOI:10. 13734/j. cnki.1000-5315.2022.01.012. 

[17] Lu, F., Zhang, L., Zhai, Y., et al. (2022). Implementation Status, Existing Problems, and Countermeasures of "Double Reduction" in Primary and Secondary Schools—An Empirical Analysis Based on Jiangsu Province. Journal of Tianjin Normal University (Elementary Education Edition), 23(4), 25-30. DOI:10.16826/j.cnki.1009-7228.2022.04.005. 

[18] Yu, F., & Xu, W. (2022). A Survey Report on the Implementation Status of "Double Reduction" in Junior Middle Schools—Based on a Sample Survey from 7 Counties (Cities, Districts) in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. Teaching Monthly: Middle School Edition (Teaching Management), (1), 7. 

[19] Huang, L. (2022). An Inquiry into the Causes of Job Burnout Among Primary School Teachers Under the "Double Reduction" Context—From the Perspective of Social Gender. Journal of Guangxi Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 58(03), 50-62. DOI:10.16088/j.issn. 1001-6597.2022.03.005. 

[20] Weng, Z. (2022). Analysis of the Prospects of the Education and Training Industry Under the "Double Reduction" Pattern. China Journal of Commerce, (08), 117-119. DOI:10.19699/j.cnki. issn2096-0298.2022.08.117. 

[21] Lin, Y. (2021). The Mission and Responsibility of Educational Publishing under the "Double Reduction" Policy. Editorial Friend, (06), 70-76.

[22] Shen, K., Lyu, B., & Wang, J. (2022). High-Quality Development of the Sports Education and Training Industry under the "Double Reduction" Policy. Journal of Physical Education, 38(01), 23-30+95. DOI:10.16419/j.cnki.42-1684/g8.2022.01.012. 

[23] Xue, E., Li, J., & Liu, C. (2022). Public Opinion Monitoring, Key Issues, and Path Adjustment for the Implementation of the "Double Reduction" Policy. China Educational Technology, (04), 16-25.

[24] Ji, W. (2022). A Review of the Failure of South Korea's "Double Reduction" Policy. Journal of Comparative Education, (01), 41-53.