BEIJING — Chinese authorities have jointly issued a campaign circular strengthening regulation on contracts in after-school education institutions to better protect the rights and interests of consumers.

The year-long campaign will target institutions that use unfair contract standards in violation of consumer rights, with a focus on relevant institutions for primary and secondary school students, according to the circular issued by the Ministry of Education and the State Administration for Market Regulation.

Violations include institutions using unfair contract terms to shrug off responsibilities, imposing unfair obligations on the consumers, or depriving consumers of their legitimate rights, the circular added.

The circular called on education and market regulation authorities to intensify inspections of relevant violations and resolutely resolve them.

The move is expected to better regulate the functioning of after-school education institutions and mitigate contract disputes.