Unveiling shadow admissions to lower secondary schools: Brokerage practices amid mainland China’s strong regulations on private tutoring

“Shadow admission” refers to the practice where Chinese public schools recruit students through private tutoring businesses. This phenomenon persists widely despite the Chinese government’s strong regulations. Through the lens of network brokerage, this article illustrates how shadow admissions operate in Mainland China. Drawing on a 16-month qualitative study in Chongqing, China, it reveals how the private tutoring businesses broker between parents and public schools. Our study also explores the impact of these brokerage activities on educational corruption, involution, and equality, which could provide insights for potential governmental regulation of shadow admissions. While this article is based in one of Mainland China’s provinces, it sheds light on a phenomenon that extends beyond China and documents educational corruption that is also known to other countries.