Having looked at buxiban culture from various angles, we eventually need to come back to the fundamental aspect, namely, its significance in education. Why do students choose to go to buxibans? How come these cram schools can still thrive despite all the criticism from education circles?

Without a doubt, the increase of demand indicates that more supply is needed. From the perspective of economics, the fact that one buxiban sets up after another nowadays entails a vast market brimming with business opportunities. Simply put, high demand for supplementary education mirrors the inadequacy of current formal education system in meeting students' needs of entering their choice college. With our society placing great value on pursuing degrees and earning diplomas, “cramming” has become an alternative way of learning for students who crave the ability to test into prestigious schools, a diploma of which is much sought-after. However, whether that guarantees a competitive edge in the job market remains uncertain; on top of that, if supplementary schools give students nothing but fragmented knowledge or rote learning techniques, we may as well cast doubt on its function of education.

The relation of supplementary education to formal education is subtle and disputable. Bearing doubts concerning the significance of buxibans, in the process of doing this research on buxiban culture, we read through articles about buxiban culture, gave out questionnaires to buxiban-goers, interviewed more than 30 stores around the Nanyang Street , and surveyed the passers-by. Following that, we analyzed data, sorted out information gathered from interviews, and tried to clarify our doubts. Interestingly enough, by questioning buxiban culture, we are actually questioning ourselves, since we are among the buxiban-goers. As our research goes, the influence of buxiban culture does exceed our assumption. Anyhow, to cram or not to cram, that is the question left to each student.

All in all, the impact brought by buxiban culture cannot be undone, a fact we are well aware of. Our research has drawn to an end, while the crowds on the Nanyang Street , along with the buxiban culture, are here to stay.