Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by Zhonggong Education, a leading public examination training institution in China, highlighting its declining revenue, increasing refund liabilities, and the impact of its business model on its financial health [5][6][9]. Group 1: Company Performance - Zhonggong Education's revenue has significantly decreased from 6.9 billion in 2021 to 2.6 billion in 2024, with a cumulative loss of 3.68 billion over the past years [6][8]. - The company reported a refund liability of 4.82 billion while having only 1.77 billion in cash on hand as of the first half of this year [8][9]. - The "agreement class" model, which initially contributed 75% of the company's revenue, has now led to 82% of its litigation cases, indicating a severe operational risk [7][9]. Group 2: Business Model and Risks - The "agreement class" model, which promised refunds for unsuccessful candidates, has become a liability, with a refund rate reaching 68.46% in 2021 [30][39]. - The company has heavily invested in short-term financial products, totaling 889 billion from 2018 to 2021, but has faced increasing refund demands that outpace its investment returns [27][35]. - The competitive landscape has intensified, with new entrants offering attractive refund policies, further straining Zhonggong Education's market position [47][48]. Group 3: Industry Trends - The public examination market has seen a surge in applicants, with the number of candidates nearly doubling from 2021 to 2024, while the acceptance rate has dropped from 1.6% to 1.3% [31][32]. - The article notes that the public examination training industry is evolving, with competitors diversifying into other sectors, such as health and wellness, to mitigate risks associated with the public examination model [45][46]. - Zhonggong Education is attempting to pivot towards employment services, recognizing the need for adaptation in a challenging market environment [50][52].