China names top computer scientist as head of education ministry

Huai Jinpeng, 58, is the new party secretary and is expected to become the education minister

It comes amid a crackdown on the private tutoring sector and a drive to nurture and retain tech talent

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Huai Jinpeng, 58, is the new party secretary of the education ministry. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:00am, 3 Aug 2021Updated: 9:00am, 3 Aug 2021

A top computer scientist has been appointed to the Chinese education ministry’s top job and is expected to take up the portfolio.

Huai Jinpeng, 58, is the new Communist Party secretary of the Ministry of Education, according to a statement on Monday.

The move will pave the way for Huai to be appointed education minister when the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body, meets later this month.

Huai was previously party chief of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST).

His appointment comes amid a crackdown on the country’s private tutoring sector, with sweeping new rules that have prompted shares in US-listed Chinese education companies to tumble. It also comes as the education ministry is tasked with finding ways to nurture and retain tech talent to meet Beijing’s long-term goal of technological self-reliance.

Students and parents leave after attending a private after-school class in Beijing. The private tutoring sector is the target of a crackdown. Photo: AFP

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