20-F 1 d20f.htm FORM 20-F Form 20-F
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

(Mark One)

¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR 12(G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report             

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 001-32993

 

 

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Cayman Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

No. 6 Hai Dian Zhong Street

Haidian District

Beijing 100080

People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of exchange on which each class is to be registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing four

common shares, par value $0.01 per share

  New York Stock Exchange

 

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. 152,197,907 common shares, par value US$0.01 per share, as of May 31, 2008.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨     Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17  ¨    Item 18  x

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION

   1

PART I

   3

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

   3

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

   3

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

   3

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

   24

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

   43

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

   43

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

   60

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   67

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   70

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

   71

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   72

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   77

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

   79

PART II

   79

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

   79

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

   79

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   79

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

   80

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

   80

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

   80

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

   80

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

   81

PART III

   81

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   81

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   81

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

   81


Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Unless otherwise indicated and except where the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report on Form 20-F to:

 

   

“we,” “us,” “our company” or “our” refers to New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc., its predecessor entities and subsidiaries and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial data, also include New Oriental China;

 

   

“China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, and for the purpose of this annual report, excludes Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau;

 

   

“New Oriental China” refers to our consolidated affiliated entity in the PRC, Beijing New Oriental Education & Technology (Group) Co., Ltd., and its subsidiaries;

 

   

“student enrollments” refers to the cumulative total number of courses enrolled in and paid for by our students, including multiple courses enrolled in and paid for by the same student but excluding courses offered at our primary and secondary school;

 

   

references to the number of our learning centers include the number of our schools;

 

   

“shares” or “common shares” refers to our common shares;

 

   

“ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents four common shares;

 

   

“RMB” or “Renminbi” refers to the legal currency of China and “$,” “dollars,” “US$” or “U.S. dollars” refers to the legal currency of the United States;

 

   

“Mingshitang” refers to Beijing Haidan Mingshitang Exam Training Education School; and

 

   

“Tongwen” refers to Changchun Tongwen Gaokao Training Education School and Changchun Tongwen High School.

Glossary of Major Admissions and Assessment Tests

 

ACT

   American College Test (US)

BEC

   Business English Certificate (US)

CET 4

   College English Test Level 4 (PRC)

CET 6

   College English Test Level 6 (PRC)

GMAT

   Graduate Management Admission Test (US)

GRE

   Graduate Record Examination (US)

IELTS

   International English Language Testing System (Commonwealth countries)

LSAT

   Law School Admission Test (US)

PETS

   Public English Test System (PRC)

SAT

   SAT College Entrance Test (US)

TOEFL

   Test of English as a Foreign Language (US)

TOEIC

   Test of English for International Communication (US)

TSE

   Test of Spoken English (US)

This annual report on Form 20-F includes our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and as of May 31, 2007 and 2008.

We and certain selling shareholders of our company completed an initial public offering of 8,625,000 ADSs in September 2006. On September 7, 2006, we listed our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “EDU.” In February 2007, we and certain selling shareholders of our company completed an additional public offering of 7,300,000 ADSs. The closing price of our ADSs on the NYSE as of October 22, 2008 was $59.41 per ADS.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “is expected to,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include:

 

   

our anticipated growth strategies;

 

   

our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;

 

   

expected changes in our revenues and certain cost and expense items;

 

   

our ability to increase student enrollments and course fees and expand program, service and product offerings;

 

   

competition in the language training, test preparation, primary and secondary education, educational content, software and other technology development and online education markets;

 

   

risks associated with our offering of new educational programs, services and products and the expansion of our geographic reach;

 

   

the expected increase in expenditures on education in China; and

 

   

PRC laws, regulations and policies relating to private education and providers of private educational services.

You should read thoroughly this annual report and the documents that we refer to herein with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and/or worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Other sections of this annual report include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

A. Selected Financial Data

Our Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The following selected consolidated condensed financial data as of May 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and for the years ended May 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. These consolidated condensed financial data have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., an independent registered public accounting firm. The report of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd. on our audited consolidated financial statements for the three years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 is included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected consolidated condensed financial data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. Effective December 1, 2007, we changed our reporting currency from RMB to the U.S. dollar in order to improve research analysts’ and investors’ ability to compare our financial results with other publicly-traded companies and to simplify our earnings release presentation. In order to allow for comparison to the financial results for the year ended May 31, 2008, the financial data for the years ended May 31, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been restated to reflect US$ as the reporting currency according to the policy described in “Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies—Foreign currency translation” in the notes accompanying our financial statements which are included at the end of this annual report.

 

     For the Years Ended May 31,  

(in thousands US$ except share, per share and per ADS data)

   2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

          

Net revenues:

          

Educational programs and services

   52,000     73,316     88,538     123,543     183,917  

Books and others

   1,379     4,405     5,984     9,060     17,086  
                              

Total net revenues

   53,379     77,721     94,522     132,603     201,003  

Operating costs and expenses:

          

Cost of revenues

   (23,077 )   (33,068 )   (39,378 )   (53,744 )   (77,219 )

Selling and marketing

   (5,028 )   (6,128 )   (10,077 )   (16,549 )   (25,617 )

General and administrative

   (19,750 )   (25,103 )   (37,569 )   (36,218 )   (52,832 )
                              

Total operating costs and expenses

   (47,855 )   (64,299 )   (87,024 )   (106,511 )   (155,668 )
                              

Operating income

   5,524     13,422     7,498     26,092     45,335  

Other income (expense):

          

Interest income

   499     441     286     4,730     8,035  

Interest expense

   (373 )   (766 )   (1,207 )   (416 )   —    

Miscellaneous income (expense)

   307     95     17     (105 )   (886 )
                              

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and minority interest

   5,957     13,192     6,594     30,301     52,484  

Provision for income tax

          

Current

   (438 )   (939 )   (1,985 )   (2,231 )   (3,839 )

Deferred

   119     233     276     401     195  
                              

Provision for income tax

   (319 )   (706 )   (1,709 )   (1,830 )   (3,644 )
                              

Minority interest, net of tax

   (27 )   (12 )   (1 )   128     173  
                              

 

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     For the Years Ended May 31,

(in thousands US$ except share, per share and per ADS data)

   2004    2005    2006     2007    2008

Income from continuing operations

   5,611    12,474    4,884     28,599    49,013
                         

Income from discontinued operations

   718    4,678    1,177     —      —  
                         

Net income

   6,329    17,152    6,061     28,599    49,013

Non-pro-rata distribution

   —      —      (3,132 )   —      —  

Net income available for future distribution

   6,329    17,152    2,929     28,599    49,013
                         

Net income per share – basic

   0.06    0.17    0.03     0.21    0.33
                         

Net income per share – diluted

   0.06    0.16    0.03     0.20    0.31
                         

Net income per ADS – basic(1)

   0.24    0.68    0.12     0.84    1.32
                         

Net income per ADS – diluted

   0.24    0.64    0.12     0.80    1.24
                         

Shares used in calculating basic net income per share

   100,000,000    100,000,000    100,000,000     134,218,191    149,992,200
                         

Shares used in calculating diluted net income per share

   100,000,000    104,840,183    111,111,111     142,093,794    156,449,101
                         

Cash dividends per as-converted common shares(2)

   0.03    0.08    0.07     —      —  
                         

Share-based compensation expense included in:

             

Cost of revenues

   44    —      48     277    707

Selling and marketing

   34    —      173     109    226

General and administrative

   1,953    —      7,688     4,261    7,809

 

(1) Each ADS represents four common shares.
(2) We declared an annual dividend of $0.03 and $0.08 per as-converted common shares, respectively, to holders of our common shares in our fiscal years ended May 31, 2004 and 2005. We declared an annual dividend of 0.07 per share to holders of our common shares and preferred shares in our fiscal year ended May 31, 2006.

The following table presents a summary of our consolidated balance sheet data as of May 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008:

 

     As of May 31,

(in thousands US$)

   2004    2005    2006    2007    2008

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   25,186    40,145    32,644    204,396    208,440

Total assets

   80,093    134,517    135,829    316,090    396,743

Total current liabilities

   45,511    54,051    57,996    68,872    97,886

Total liabilities

   52,096    75,761    70,791    68,872    97,886

Long-term debt, less current portion

   6,585    21,710    12,795    —      —  

Series A convertible preferred shares

   —      111    111    —      —  

Total shareholders’ equity

   27,049    58,497    65,013    246,980    298,680

Exchange Rate Information

Our business is primarily conducted in China and substantially all of our revenues are denominated in RMB. Prior to December 1, 2007, we reported our financial data in RMB. Effective December 1, 2007, we changed our reporting currency from RMB to the U.S. dollar in order to improve research analysts’ and investors’ ability to compare our financial results with other publicly-traded companies and to simplify our earnings release presentation. In order to allow for comparison to the financial results for the year ended May 31, 2008, the financial data for the years ended May 31, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been restated to reflect US$ as the reporting currency using the methods described in “Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies—Foreign currency translation” in the notes accompanying our financial statements which are included at the end of this annual report. All other translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB in this annual report, unless otherwise noted, were made at a rate of RMB6.9400 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on May 30, 2008. This annual report contains translations of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. We make no representation that any RMB or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade.

 

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The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this annual report or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you. The source of these rates is the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

     Noon Buying Rate

Period

   Period End    Average(1)    Low    High
     (RMB Per US$ 1.00)

2003

   8.2767    8.2771    8.2800    8.2765

2004

   8.2765    8.2768    8.2774    8.2764

2005

   8.0702    8.1826    8.2765    8.0702

2006

   7.8041    7.9579    8.0702    7.8041

2007

   7.2946    7.5806    7.8127    7.2946

2008 (through October 22)

   6.8341    6.9720    7.2946    6.7800

April

   6.9870    6.9997    7.0185    6.9840

May

   6.9400    6.9725    7.0000    6.9377

June

   6.8591    6.8993    6.9633    6.8591

July

   6.8388    6.8355    6.8632    6.8104

August

   6.8252    6.8462    6.8705    6.7800

September

   6.7899    6.8307    6.8510    6.7810

October (through October 22)

   6.8341    6.8332    6.8485    6.8171

 

(1) Annual averages are calculated from month-end rates. Monthly averages are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not Applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not Applicable.

D. Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business

If we are not able to continue to attract students to enroll in our courses without a significant decrease in course fees, our revenues may decline and we may not be able to maintain profitability.

The success of our business depends primarily on the number of student enrollments in our courses and the amount of course fees that our students are willing to pay. Therefore, our ability to continue to attract students to enroll in our courses without a significant decrease in course fees is critical to the continued success and growth of our business. This in turn will depend on several factors, including our ability to develop new programs and enhance existing programs to respond to changes in market trends and student demands, expand our geographic reach, manage our growth while maintaining the consistency of our teaching quality, effectively market our programs to a broader base of prospective students, develop and license additional high-quality educational content and respond to competitive pressures. If we are unable to continue to attract students to enroll in our courses without a significant decrease in course fees, our revenue may decline and we may not be able to maintain profitability.

 

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We depend on our dedicated and capable faculty, and if we are not able to continue to hire, train and retain qualified teachers, we may not be able to maintain consistent teaching quality throughout our school network and our brand, business and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.

Our teachers are critical to maintaining the quality of our programs, services and products and maintaining our brand and reputation, as they interact with our students on a daily basis. We must continue to attract qualified teachers who have a strong command of the subject areas to be taught and meet our qualification. We also seek to hire teachers who are capable of delivering innovative and inspirational instruction. There are a limited number of teachers in China with the necessary experience and language proficiency to teach our courses and we must provide competitive compensation packages to attract and retain qualified teachers. In addition, criteria such as commitment and dedication are difficult to ascertain during the recruitment process, in particular as we continue to expand and add teachers at a faster pace to meet rising student enrollments. We must also provide continuous training to our teachers so that they can stay abreast of changes in student demands, admissions and assessment tests, admissions standards and other key trends necessary to effectively teach their respective courses. We may not be able to hire, train and retain enough qualified teachers to keep pace with our anticipated growth while maintaining consistent teaching quality across many different schools, learning centers and programs in different geographic locations. Shortages of qualified teachers or decreases in the quality of our instruction, whether actual or perceived in one or more of our markets, may have a material and adverse effect on our business.

Our business depends on our “New Oriental” brand, and if we are not able to maintain and enhance our brand, our business and operating results may be harmed.

We believe that market awareness of our “New Oriental” brand has contributed significantly to the success of our business. We also believe that maintaining and enhancing the “New Oriental” brand is critical to maintaining our competitive advantage. We offer a diverse set of programs, services and products to primary and middle school students, college students and other adults throughout many provinces and cities in China. As we continue to grow in size, expand our programs, services and products and extend our geographic reach, maintaining quality and consistency may be more difficult to achieve.

We have developed our student base primarily by word-of-mouth referrals and have incurred limited brand promotion expenses to date. We have initiated brand promotion efforts in recent years, but we cannot assure you that our new marketing efforts will be successful in further promoting our brand to remain competitive. If we are unable to further enhance our brand recognition and increase awareness of our programs, services and products, or if we incur excessive marketing and promotion expenses, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Failure to effectively and efficiently manage the expansion of our school network may materially and adversely affect our ability to capitalize on new business opportunities.

We have increased the number of our schools in China from three in 2001 to 41 by the end of May 2008, and we increased the number of our learning centers in China from 23 in 2001 to 207 by the end of May 2008. We plan to continue to expand our operations in different geographic locations in China. This expansion has resulted, and will continue to result, in substantial demands on our management, faculty, operational, technological and other resources. Our planned expansion will also place significant demands on us to maintain the consistency of our teaching quality and our culture to ensure that our brand does not suffer as a result of any decreases, whether actual or perceived, in our teaching quality. To manage and support our growth, we must improve our existing operational, administrative and technological systems and our financial and management controls, and recruit, train and retain additional qualified teachers and management personnel as well as other administrative and sales and marketing personnel, particularly as we expand into new markets. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively and efficiently manage the growth of our operations, recruit and retain qualified teachers and management personnel and integrate new schools and learning centers into our operations. Any failure to effectively and efficiently manage our expansion may materially and adversely affect our ability to capitalize on new business opportunities, which in turn may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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If we fail to successfully execute our growth strategies, we may not be able to continue to attract students to enroll in our courses without a significant decrease in course fees, and our business and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

Our growth strategies include expanding our program, service and product offerings and our network of schools, learning centers and bookstores, updating and expanding the content of our programs, services and products in a cost-effective and timely manner, as well as maintaining and continuing to establish strategic relationships with complementary businesses. The expansion of our programs, services and products in terms of types of offerings and geographic locations may not succeed due to competition, our failure to effectively market our new programs, services and products and maintain their quality and consistency, or other factors. In addition, we may be unable to identify new cities with sufficient growth potential to expand our network, and we may fail to attract students and increase student enrollments or recruit, train and retain qualified teachers for our new schools and learning centers. Some cities in China have undergone development and expansion for several decades while others are still at an early stage of urbanization and development. In more developed cities, it may be difficult to increase the number of schools and learning centers because we and/or our competitors already have operations in such cities. In recently developed and developing cities, demand for our programs, services and products may not increase as rapidly as we expect. Furthermore, we may be unable to develop or license additional content on commercially reasonable terms and in a timely manner, or at all, to keep pace with changes in market requirements. If we fail to successfully execute our growth strategies, we may not be able to continue to attract students to enroll in our courses without a significant decrease in course fees, and our business and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

We may not be able to achieve the benefits we expect from recent and future acquisitions, and recent and future acquisitions may have an adverse effect on our ability to manage our business.

In April 2008, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 60% equity stake in Mingshitang, a Beijing-based private school that specializes in tutoring students seeking to retake the gaokao, the Chinese college entrance examination. The remaining 40% equity stake in Mingshitang will be subject to a multi-year earn-out structure. The transaction closed in June 2008. In July 2008, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire Tongwen, a Changchun-based private school that provides types of services similar to the services that Mingshitang provides. These strategic acquisitions are expected to allow us to extend our New Oriental brand to the large non-English test preparation market. These recent acquisitions and any future acquisitions expose us to potential risks, including risks associated with the diversion of resources from our existing businesses and the inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset the costs and expenses of acquisitions. In addition, the revenue and cost synergies that we expect to achieve from our acquisitions may not materialize. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.

If we are presented with appropriate opportunities, we may acquire additional complementary companies . The integration of acquired companies diverts a great deal of management attention and dedicated staff efforts from other areas of our business. A successful integration process is important to realizing the benefits of an acquisition. If we encounter difficulty integrating our recent and future acquisitions, our business may be adversely affected. The acquisitions may not result in the expected growth or development, which may have an adverse effect on our business. We plan to continue to make strategic acquisitions, and identifying acquisition opportunities could demand substantial management time and resources. Negotiating and financing the potential acquisitions could involve significant cost and uncertainties. If we fail to continue to execute advantageous acquisitions in the future, our overall growth strategy could be impaired, and our operating results could be adversely affected.

Third parties have in the past brought intellectual property infringement claims against us based on the content of the books and other teaching or marketing materials that we or our teachers authored and/or distributed and may bring similar claims against us in the future.

We may be subject to claims by educational institutions and organizations, content providers and publishers, competitors and others for intellectual property rights infringement, defamation, negligence or other legal theories based on the content of the materials that we or our teachers author and/or distribute as course materials. These types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against print publications and educational institutions in the past, including ourselves. For example, in January 2001, the Graduate Management Admission Council, or GMAC, and Educational Testing Service, or ETS, filed three separate lawsuits against us in the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court, alleging that we had violated the copyrights and trademarks relating to the GMAT test owned by GMAC and relating to the GRE and TOEFL tests owned by ETS by duplicating, selling and distributing their test materials without their authorization. In September 2003, the trial court found that we had violated GMAC’s and ETS’s respective copyrights and trademarks in connection with those admissions tests. The trial court’s judgment was partially affirmed in a final judgment issued by the Beijing Higher People’s Court in December 2004. The Beijing Higher People’s Court held that we had not misused the trademarks of GMAC or ETS. However, it also found that the TOEFL and GRE tests were the original works of ETS and the GMAT test was the original work of GMAC, all of which are protected under the PRC Copyright Law. The Beijing Higher People’s Court held that our duplication, sale and distribution of the test materials relating to these tests without ETS’s and GMAC’s prior permission was not a “reasonable use” of the test materials under the PRC Copyright Law, and that we, therefore, had infringed upon ETS’s and GMAC’s respective copyrights. We were ordered to pay damages in an aggregate of approximately RMB6.5 million (US$0.9 million), cease all infringing activities and destroy all copyright-infringing materials in our possession, all of which we have done. We have also been involved in other claims and legal proceedings against us relating to infringement of third parties’ copyrights in materials distributed by us and the unauthorized use of a third party’s name in connection with the marketing and promotion of one of our programs.

Since the Beijing Higher People’s Court issued the final judgment in 2004, we have endeavored to comply with the court order and applicable PRC laws and regulations relating to intellectual property, and we have adopted policies and procedures to prohibit our employees and contractors from engaging in any copyright, trademark or trade name infringing activities. However, we cannot assure you that every teacher or other personnel will strictly comply with these policies at our schools, learning centers or other locations or media through which we provide our programs, services and products. In addition, certain types of our teaching or marketing materials have subjected us to claims of intellectual property rights infringement by third parties in the past and may subject us to further claims in the future, particularly in light of the uncertainties in the interpretation and application of PRC intellectual property laws and regulations. Furthermore, if printed publications or other materials that we or our teachers author and/or distribute contain materials that government authorities find objectionable, these publications may have to be recalled, which could result in increased

 

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expenses, loss in revenues and adverse publicity. Any claims against us, with or without merit, could be time-consuming and costly to defend or litigate, divert our management’s attention and resources or result in the loss of goodwill associated with our brand. If a lawsuit against us is successful, we may be required to pay substantial damages and/or enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be based upon commercially reasonable terms, or we may be unable to enter into such agreements at all. We may also lose, or be limited in, the rights to offer some of our programs, services and products or be required to make changes to our course materials or websites. As a result, the scope of our course materials could be reduced, which could adversely affect the effectiveness of our teaching, limit our ability to attract new students, harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

We may lose our competitive advantage and our reputation, brand and operations may suffer if we fail to prevent the loss or misappropriation of, or disputes over, our intellectual property rights.

We consider our trademarks and trade name invaluable to our ability to continue to develop and enhance our brand recognition. We have spent over a decade building our “New Oriental” brand by emphasizing quality and consistency and building trust among students and parents. From time to time, our trademarks and trade name have been used by third parties for or as part of other branded programs, services and products unrelated to us. We have sent cease and desist letters to such third parties in the past and will continue to do so in the future. However, preventing trademark and trade name infringement, particularly in China, is difficult, costly and time-consuming and continued unauthorized use of our trademarks and trade name by unrelated third parties may damage our reputation and brand. In addition, we have spent significant time and expense developing or licensing and localizing the content of certain educational materials, such as books, software, CD-ROMs, magazines and other periodicals, to enrich our product offerings and meet students’ needs. The measures we take to protect our trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, which presently are based upon a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, may not be adequate to prevent unauthorized use by third parties. Furthermore, the application of laws governing intellectual property rights in China and abroad is uncertain and evolving, and could involve substantial risks to us. If we are unable to adequately protect our trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, we may lose these rights, our brand name may be harmed, and our business may suffer materially.

We face significant competition in each major program we offer and each geographic market in which we operate, and if we fail to compete effectively, we may lose our market share and our profitability may be adversely affected.

The private education sector in China is rapidly evolving, highly fragmented and competitive, and we expect competition in this sector to persist and intensify. We face competition in each major program we offer and each geographic market in which we operate. For example, we face nationwide competition for our IELTS preparation courses from Global IELTS School, which offers IELTS preparation courses in many cities in China. We face regional competition for our English for children program from several competitors that focus on children’s English training in specific regions, including English First. We face competition for our “Elite English” program primarily from Wall Street Institute and EF English First, both of which offer English training courses for adults in many cities in China. Wall Street Institute began providing high-end English training courses to adults in major cities several years before we entered this market and enjoys a first-mover advantage. We also face competition from companies that focus on providing international and/or PRC test preparation courses in specific geographic markets in China.

Our student enrollments may decrease due to intense competition. Some of our competitors may have more resources than we do. These competitors may be able to devote greater resources than we can to the development, promotion and sale of their programs, services and products and respond more quickly than we can to changes in student needs, testing materials, admissions standards, market needs or new technologies. In addition, we face competition from many different smaller sized organizations that focus on some of our targeted markets, which may be able to respond more promptly to changes in student preferences in these markets. In addition, the increasing use of the Internet and advances in Internet- and computer-related technologies, such as web video conferencing and online testing simulators, are eliminating geographic and cost-entry barriers to providing private educational services. As a result, many of our international competitors that offer online test preparation and language training courses, such as The Princeton Review, Inc. and Kaplan, Inc. may be able to more effectively penetrate the China market. Many of these international competitors have strong education brands, and students and parents in China may be attracted to the offerings of international competitors based in the country that the student wishes to study in or in which the selected language is widely spoken. In addition, many smaller companies are able to use the Internet to quickly and cost-effectively offer their programs, services and products to a

 

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large number of students with less capital expenditure than previously required. In addition, we may be required to reduce course fees or increase spending in response to competition in order to retain or attract students or pursue new market opportunities. As a result, our revenues and profitability may decrease. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. If we are unable to maintain our competitive position or otherwise respond to competitive pressures effectively, we may lose our market share and our profitability may be adversely affected.

Failure to adequately and promptly respond to changes in testing materials, admissions standards and technologies could cause our programs, services and products to be less attractive to students.

Admissions and assessment tests undergo continuous change, in terms of the focus of the subjects and questions tested, the format of the tests and the manner in which the tests are administered. For example, certain admissions and assessment tests in the United States now include an essay component, which required us to hire and train our teachers to be able to analyze written essays that tend to be more subjective in nature and require a higher level of English proficiency. In addition, some admissions and assessment tests are increasingly being offered in a computer-based testing format. These changes require us to continually update and enhance our test preparation materials and our teaching methods. Any inability to track and respond to these changes in a timely and cost-effective manner would make our programs, services and products less attractive to students, which may materially and adversely affect our reputation and ability to continue to attract students without a significant decrease in course fees.

If colleges, universities and other higher education institutions reduce their reliance on admissions and assessment tests, we may experience a decrease in demand for our test preparation courses and our business may be materially and adversely affected.

In the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we derived a significant portion of our revenues from test preparation courses. The success of our test preparation courses depends on the continued use of admissions and assessment tests. If the use of admissions and assessment tests declines or falls out of favor with educational institutions and government authorities, the markets for our online and classroom-based test preparation courses will deteriorate and our business will be materially and adversely affected. We provide preparation courses for both overseas and domestic admissions and assessment tests. In China, local government authorities’ reliance on admissions and assessment tests varies from location to location and has changed from time to time. For example, in early 2005, the PRC Ministry of Education started reforming the CET 4 and CET 6 exams, which, among other things, limited these exams only to college students starting from 2007. As a result, the total number of students who enrolled in our CET 4 and CET 6 exam preparation courses decreased from approximately 180,000 in 2004 to approximately 140,000 in 2005, and we experienced a slight decline in the number of students who enrolled in our CET 4 and CET 6 exam preparation courses in 2006 as compared to 2005. In 2007, the number of students who enrolled in our CET 4 and CET 6 exam preparation courses increased to approximately 190,000. In the United States, there has been a continuing debate in the United States regarding the usefulness of admissions and assessment tests to assess qualifications and many people have criticized the use of admissions and assessment tests as unfairly discriminating against certain test takers. In addition, in March 2006, the College Board in the United States revealed that, because of technical problems in scanning answer sheets, the scores of several thousand students taking the SAT were inaccurately reported, causing additional concerns regarding the accuracy and quality of admissions and assessment tests. If a large number of educational institutions abandon the use of existing admissions and assessment tests as a requirement for admission without replacing them, with other admissions and assessment tests, we may experience a decrease in demand for our test preparation courses and our business may be seriously harmed.

We may experience a decrease in our margins.

Many factors may cause our gross and net income margins to decline. For example, there is a recent trend that the short-term language training and test preparation markets are moving towards smaller class sizes, especially for students between the ages of five and 12. This may result from discretionary income increases for families in China, which cause students to be more willing and able to pay higher course fees for the more individualized attention that smaller classes can offer. In our fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2008, the average class size for our short-term language training and test preparation courses was approximately 40 students per class, which was a decrease from approximately 60 students per class in the same period during the previous year. We offered approximately 14,100 short-term training courses in the quarter ended August 31, 2008 compared to approximately 8,700 in the same period during the previous year. Although our smaller-sized classes are highly profitable, they are marginally less profitable on average than our large classes. Our gross margin and net income margin for our fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2008 were 67.5% and 38.0%, respectively, down from 68.3% and 41.8%, respectively, in the same period during the previous year. These decreases were partly due to the increase in demand for our smaller-sized classes. In addition, our new investments and acquisitions may also cause our margins to decline before we successfully integrate the acquired businesses into our operations and realize the full benefits of these investments and acquisitions. There is a risk that our margins could continue to decline in the future due to increasing demand for our smaller-sized classes and/or other factors.

New programs, services and products that we develop may compete with our current offerings.

        We are constantly developing new programs, services and products to meet changes in student demands and respond to changes in testing materials, admissions standards, market needs and trends and technological changes. While some of the programs, services and products that we develop will expand our current offerings and increase student enrollments, others may compete with or make irrelevant our existing offerings without increasing our total student enrollments. For example, our online courses may take away students from our existing classroom-based courses, and our new schools and learning centers may take away students from our existing schools and learning centers. If we are unable to expand our program, service and product offerings while increasing our total student enrollments and profitability, our business and growth may be adversely affected.

 

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Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which may cause our operating results to fluctuate from quarter to quarter. This may result in volatility and adversely affect the price of our ADSs.

We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, seasonal fluctuations in our revenues and results of operations, primary due to seasonal changes in student enrollments. Historically, our courses tend to have the largest student enrollments in our first fiscal quarter from June 1 to August 31 each year. Our expenses, however, vary significantly and do not necessarily correspond with changes in our student enrollments and revenues. We make investments in marketing and promotion, teacher recruitment and training, and product development throughout the year. We derived over 33.8% of our revenue from Beijing for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. The 2008 Olympic Games took place in Beijing in August of 2008, which was during the first quarter of our fiscal year ended May 31, 2009. We have historically derived approximately 40% of our annual revenues during the first quarter of each fiscal year. The Beijing Olympic Games negatively impacted our business in the first fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2009 due to transportation and security logistics arrangements in Beijing and some distractions from classes as the nation enjoyed the Olympic Games. We expect quarterly fluctuations in our revenues and results of operations to continue. These fluctuations could result in volatility and adversely affect the price of our ADSs. As our revenues grow, these seasonal fluctuations may become more pronounced.

Our historical financial and operating results are not indicative of future performance; our financial and operating results are difficult to forecast.

Our financial and operating results may not meet the expectations of public market analysts or investors, which could cause the price of our ADSs to decline. In addition to the seasonal fluctuations described above, our revenues, expenses and operating results may vary from quarter to quarter and from year to year in response to a variety of other factors beyond our control, including:

 

   

our ability to increase student enrollments and course fees;

 

   

general economic conditions;

 

   

regulations or actions pertaining to the provision of private educational services in China;

 

   

changes in consumers’ spending patterns;

 

   

our ability to control cost of revenues and operating expenses; and

 

   

non-recurring charges incurred in connection with acquisitions or other extraordinary transactions or unexpected circumstances.

Due to these factors, among others, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results may not be indicative of our future performance and you should not rely on them to predict the future performance of our ADSs. In addition, our past results may not be indicative of future performance because of our new businesses.

Our business is difficult to evaluate because we have limited experience generating net income from some of our newer services.

Historically, our core businesses have been English language training for adults and test preparation courses for college and graduate students. We started professional certification preparation programs in 2007, which include preparation for the PRC bar exam, certified public accountant exam, and the civil service exam. Also in 2007, we established our pre-school business with the opening of our first kindergarten in Beijing. Also, we launched our “New Oriental U-Can” training program in 2008 which targets middle and high school students in China from ages 13 to 18 who are preparing for the college entrance examination in China, known as the “gaokao.” The gaokao is required for admission to bachelor degree programs and most associate degree programs at colleges and universities in China. Some of these operations have not generated significant or any profit to date and we have less experience responding quickly to changes, competing successfully and maintaining and expanding our brand in these areas without jeopardizing our brand in other areas. Consequently, there is limited operating history on which you can base your evaluation of the business and prospects of these relatively more recent operations.

 

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Our success depends on the continuing efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel and our business may be harmed if we lose their services.

Our future success depends heavily upon the continuing services of the members of our senior management team, in particular, our founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Michael Minhong Yu, who has been our leader since our inception in 1993. If one or more of our senior executives or other key personnel are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, and our business may be disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Competition for experienced management personnel in the private education sector is intense, the pool of qualified candidates is very limited, and we may not be able to retain the services of our senior executives or key personnel, or attract and retain high-quality senior executives or key personnel in the future. In addition, if any member of our senior management team or any of our other key personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose teachers, students, key professionals and staff members. Each of our executive officers and key employees has entered into a confidentiality and non-competition agreement with us. If any disputes arise between any of our senior executives or key personnel and us, it may be difficult to enforce these agreements against these individuals.

We generate a majority of our revenues from four cities in China. Any event negatively affecting the private education industry in these cities could have a material adverse effect on our overall business and results of operations.

We currently generate a majority of our revenues in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou. We derived approximately 60% of our total net revenues for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 from these four cities and we expect these cities to continue to constitute important sources of our revenues. If any of these cities experiences an event negatively affecting its private education industry, such as a serious economic downturn, a natural disaster or outbreak of contagious disease, or if any of these cities adopts regulations relating to private education that place additional restrictions or burdens on us, our overall business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

If we are not able to continually enhance our online programs, services and products and adapt them to rapid technological changes and student needs, we may lose market share and our business could be adversely affected.

Rapid growth in the use of the Internet is a recent occurrence, and the market for Internet-based programs, services and products is characterized by rapid technological changes and innovation, unpredictable product life cycles and user preferences. We have limited experience with generating revenues from online programs, services and products and their results are largely uncertain. The increasing adoption of computer-based testing formats for admissions testing may lead more students to seek online test preparation courses. We must quickly modify our programs, services and products to adapt to changing student needs and preferences, technological advances and evolving Internet practices. Ongoing enhancement of our online offerings and related technology may entail significant expense and technical risk. We may use new technologies ineffectively or fail to adapt our online products or services and related technology on a timely and cost-effective basis. If our improvements to our online offerings and the related technology are delayed, result in systems interruptions or are not aligned with market expectations or preferences, we may lose market share and our business could be adversely affected.

Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a material and adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs.

We are subject to the reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, has adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the effectiveness of such companies’ internal control over financial reporting in its annual report. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm for a public company must issue an attestation report on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of May 31, 2008. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm attested our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and reported that the company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2008. If we fail to maintain the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Moreover, effective internal control over financial reporting is

 

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necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports. As a result, any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs. Furthermore, we may need to incur additional costs and use additional management and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other requirements going forward.

We do not have any liability or business disruption insurance, and a liability claim against us due to injuries suffered by our students or other people at our facilities could adversely affect our reputation and our financial results.

We could be held liable for accidents that occur at our learning centers and other facilities, including indoor facilities where we organize certain summer camps activities and temporary housing facilities that we lease for our students from time to time. In the event of on-site food poisoning, personal injuries, fires or other accidents suffered by students or other people, we could face claims alleging that we were negligent, provided inadequate supervision or were otherwise liable for the injuries. We currently do not have any liability insurance or business disruption insurance. A successful liability claim against us due to injuries suffered by our students or other people at our facilities could adversely affect our reputation and our financial results. Even if unsuccessful, such a claim could cause unfavorable publicity, require substantial cost to defend and divert the time and attention of our management.

Capacity constraints or system disruptions to our computer systems or websites could damage our reputation and limit our ability to retain students and increase student enrollments.

The performance and reliability of our online program infrastructure is critical to our reputation and ability to retain students and increase student enrollments. Any system error or failure, or a sudden and significant increase in traffic, could result in the difficulty of accessing our websites by our students or unavailability of our online programs. We cannot assure you that we will be able to expand our online program infrastructure on a timely basis sufficient to meet demand for such programs. Our computer systems and operations could be vulnerable to interruption or malfunction due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters and telecommunications failures. Any interruption to our computer systems or operations could have a material adverse effect on our ability to retain students and increase student enrollments.

Our computer networks may be vulnerable to security risks that could disrupt operations and require us to expend significant resources.

Our computer networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses and other security problems. A user who circumvents security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in operations. As a result, we may be required to expend significant resources to protect against the threat of these security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by these breaches.

Terrorist attacks, geopolitical uncertainty and international conflicts involving the U.S. and elsewhere may discourage more students from studying in the United States and elsewhere outside of China, which could cause declines in the student enrollments for our courses.

Terrorist attacks, geopolitical uncertainty and international conflicts involving the U.S. and elsewhere, such as those that took place on September 11, 2001, could have an adverse effect on our overseas test preparation courses and English language training courses. Such attacks may discourage students from studying in the United States and elsewhere outside of China and may also make it more difficult for Chinese students to obtain visas to study abroad. These factors could cause declines in the student enrollments for our test preparation and English language training courses and could have an adverse effect on our overall business and results of operations.

 

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Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our China business do not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties.

PRC laws and regulations currently require any foreign entity that invests in the education business in China to be an educational institution with relevant experience in providing educational services outside China. Our Cayman Islands holding company is not an educational institution and does not provide educational services. In addition, foreign ownership of primary and middle schools for students in grades one to nine is prohibited in the PRC. Accordingly, our wholly owned subsidiaries in China, which are considered foreign-invested, are currently ineligible to apply for the required education licenses and permits in China. We conduct our education business in China through contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries and shareholders. New Oriental China is our consolidated affiliated entity directly owned by our founders and/or their respective affiliates. New Oriental China’s subsidiaries hold the requisite licenses and permits necessary to conduct our education business and operate our schools, learning centers and bookstores in China. We have been and are expected to continue to be dependent on New Oriental China and its subsidiaries to operate our education business until we qualify for direct ownership of educational businesses in China. We have entered into contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, pursuant to which we, through our wholly owned subsidiaries in China, provide exclusive teaching support, new enrollment system support and other services to New Oriental China and its subsidiaries in exchange for payments from them. In addition, we have entered into agreements with New Oriental China and each of the shareholders of New Oriental China, which provide us with a substantial ability to control New Oriental China and its existing and future subsidiaries.

If we, any of our wholly owned subsidiaries, New Oriental China or any of its existing and future subsidiaries are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities including the Ministry of Education, or MOE, which regulates the education industry, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

 

   

revoking the business and operating licenses of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities;

 

   

discontinuing or restricting the operations of any related-party transactions among our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities;

 

   

imposing fines or other requirements with which we or our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities may not be able to comply;

 

   

requiring us or our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations; or

 

   

restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds of our additional public offering to finance our business and operations in China.

The imposition of any of these penalties could result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

We rely on contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries and shareholders for our China operations, which may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership.

We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries and shareholders to operate our education business. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Contractual Arrangements with New Oriental China and Its Subsidiary and Shareholders.” These contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control over New Oriental China and its subsidiaries as direct ownership. If we had direct ownership of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, which in turn could effect changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, as a legal matter, if New Oriental China or any of its subsidiaries and shareholders fails to perform its or his respective obligations under

 

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these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which may not be effective. For example, if the shareholders of New Oriental China were to refuse to transfer their equity interest in New Oriental China to us or our designee when we exercise the call option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal action to compel them to fulfill their contractual obligations. In addition, we may not be able to renew these contracts with New Oriental China and/or its subsidiaries and shareholders if the beneficial owners of New Oriental China do not act in the best interests of our company when conflicts of interest arise between their dual roles as beneficial owners and directors of both New Oriental China and our company.

Many of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our affiliated entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.

The beneficial owners of New Oriental China may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The beneficial owners of New Oriental China are also the founders and beneficial owners of our company. Some of them are directors of both New Oriental China and our company. Conflicts of interests between their dual roles as beneficial owners and directors of both New Oriental China and our company may arise. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these individuals will act in the best interests of our company or that conflicts of interests will be resolved in our favor. In addition, these individuals may breach or cause New Oriental China and its subsidiaries to breach or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements that allow us to effectively control New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, and receive economic benefits from them. Currently, we do not have existing arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these individuals and our company. We rely on these individuals to abide by the laws of the Cayman Islands and China, both of which provide that directors owe a fiduciary duty to the company, which requires them to act in good faith and in the best interests of the company and not to use their positions for personal gain. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and the beneficial owners of New Oriental China, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

New Oriental China and its subsidiaries may be subject to significant limitations on their ability to operate private schools or make payments to related parties or otherwise be materially and adversely affected by changes in PRC laws and regulations.

The principal regulations governing private education in China are The Law for Promoting Private Education (2003) and The Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education (2004). Under these regulations, a private school may elect to be a school that does not require reasonable returns or a school that requires reasonable returns. At the end of each fiscal year, every private school is required to allocate a certain amount to its development fund for the construction or maintenance of the school or procurement or upgrade of educational equipment. In the case of a private school that requires reasonable returns, this amount shall be no less than 25% of annual net income of the school, while in the case of a private school that does not require reasonable returns, this amount shall be equivalent to no less than 25% of the annual increase in the net assets of the school, if any. A private school that requires reasonable returns must publicly disclose such election and additional information required under the regulations. A private school shall consider factors such as the school’s tuition, ratio of the funds used for education-related activities to the course fees collected, admission standards and educational quality when determining the percentage of the school’s net income that would be distributed to the investors as reasonable returns. However, none of the current PRC laws and regulations provides a formula or guidelines for determining “reasonable returns.” In addition, none of the current PRC laws and regulations sets forth different requirements or restrictions on a private school’s ability to operate its education business based on such school’s status as a school that requires reasonable returns or a school that does not require reasonable returns.

 

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With regard to income tax, according to the Implementation Rules for The Law for Promoting Private Education (2004), private schools that do not require reasonable returns are entitled to the same preferential tax treatment as public schools, while preferential tax treatment policies applicable to private schools requiring reasonable returns are separately formulated by the relevant authorities under the State Council. The implementing rules of the EIT law provide certain conditions under which not-for-profit entities may be exempted from enterprise income tax. According to such conditions, our schools may not be entitled to income tax exemption. To date, however, no separate specific regulations or policies have been promulgated by the relevant authorities in this regard and whether our schools can be entitled to any preferential income tax treatment remains unclear. As a result, our schools are subject to the specific requirements of their respective local tax authorities, which vary from location to location. In some cities, our schools are registered as schools that require reasonable returns, while in other cities, our schools are registered as schools that do not require reasonable returns. The current PRC laws and regulations governing private education may be amended or replaced by new laws and regulations that (i) impose significant limitations on the ability of our schools to operate their business, charge course fees or make payments to related parties for services received, (ii) specify the formula for calculating “reasonable returns,” or (iii) change the preferential tax treatment policies applicable to private schools. We cannot predict the timing and effects of any such amendments or new laws and regulations. Changes in PRC laws and regulations governing private education or otherwise affecting New Oriental China’s and its subsidiaries’ operations could materially and adversely affect our business prospects and results of operations.

The discontinuation of any preferential tax treatments currently available to us could result in a decrease of our net income and materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

According to The Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education (2004), private schools that do not require reasonable returns enjoy the same preferential tax treatment as public schools, while the preferential tax treatment policies applicable to private schools requiring reasonable returns shall be separately formulated by the relevant authorities under the State Council. The implementing rules of the EIT law provide certain conditions under which not-for-profit entities may be exempted from enterprise income tax. According to such conditions, our schools may not be entitled to income tax exemption. To date, however, no separate specific regulations or policies have been promulgated by the relevant authorities in this regard and whether our schools can be entitled to any preferential income tax treatment remains unclear. In practice, tax treatments for private schools vary across different cities in China. In some cities, private schools are subject to a 25% standard enterprise income tax starting from January 1, 2008, while in other cities, private schools are subject to a 1.5% to 3.5% tax on gross receipts in lieu of the 25% standard enterprise income tax or may be exempted from enterprise income tax. In addition, some of our PRC subsidiaries and other affiliated entities currently also enjoy certain preferential tax treatment. Preferential tax treatments granted to us by local governmental authorities are subject to review and may be adjusted or revoked at any time in the future. The discontinuation of any preferential tax treatments currently available to us, especially those schools in major cities, will cause our effective tax rate to increase, which will increase our income tax expenses and in turn decrease our net income.

In addition, under PRC laws and regulations, an enterprise that is registered in a high-tech zone and also qualifies as “new or high-technology enterprise” may enjoy preferential tax benefits. Each of our wholly owned subsidiaries in China and New Oriental China is a certified “new or high-technology enterprise” newly established in a high-tech zone in Beijing, and is entitled to a three-year exemption from enterprise income tax beginning from its first year of operation, a 7.5% enterprise income tax rate for another three years followed by a 15% tax rate so long as it continues to qualify as a “new or high-technology enterprise.” On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress passed a new enterprise income tax law, or the EIT Law, which took effect on January 1, 2008. This EIT Law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises. There will be a transition period for enterprises, whether foreign-invested or domestic, which currently receive preferential tax treatments granted by relevant tax authorities. Enterprises that are currently entitled to exemptions or reductions from the standard income tax rate for a fixed term may continue to enjoy such treatment until the fixed term expires. Although the EIT Law provides that preferential tax treatments will continue to be granted to industries and projects that are strongly supported and encouraged by the state, and that enterprises otherwise classified as “new or high technology enterprises strongly supported by the state” will be entitled to a preferential enterprise income tax rate, the new implementation rules of this EIT Law promulgated by the State Council in December 2007 and other supplemental rules promulgated by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation in April 2008 and July 2008, respectively, have provided new criteria for such “new or high technology enterprises,” and all enterprises which have been granted such status before the effectiveness of the EIT Law are required to be re-examined according to such new rules before they can continue to be entitled to such preferential tax treatments. We cannot ensure that our wholly owned subsidiaries in China or New Oriental China will be granted such status according to these new rules. Loss of these preferential tax treatments could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Contractual arrangements we have entered into among our subsidiaries and New Oriental China and its subsidiaries may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and a finding that we or New Oriental China and its subsidiaries owe additional taxes could substantially reduce our consolidated net income and the value of your investment.

 

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Under PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements among our wholly owned subsidiaries in China and New Oriental China and its subsidiaries do not represent an arm’s-length price and adjust New Oriental China or any of its subsidiaries’ income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction, for PRC tax purposes, of expense deductions recorded by New Oriental China or any of its subsidiaries, which could in turn increase its tax liabilities. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties to our affiliated entities for under-paid taxes. Our consolidated net income may be materially and adversely affected if our affiliated entities’ tax liabilities increase or if they are found to be subject to late payment fees or other penalties.

Regulatory agencies may commence investigations of the private primary and secondary schools controlled and operated by New Oriental China. If the results of the investigations are unfavorable to us, we may be subject to fines, penalties, injunctions or other censure that could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

PRC laws and regulations currently prohibit foreign ownership of primary and middle schools for students in grades one to nine in China. New Oriental China controls and operates a private primary and secondary school in Yangzhou which may enter into contractual arrangements with our wholly owned subsidiaries in China in the future to pay teaching support and other fees to our subsidiaries in exchange for their services. As the provision of private primary and middle school services is a heavily regulated industry in China, the Yangzhou school and any new primary schools that New Oriental China or any of its subsidiaries establishes in the future may be subject from time to time to investigations, claims of non-compliance or lawsuits by governmental agencies, which may allege statutory violations, regulatory infractions or other causes of action. If the results of the investigations are unfavorable to us, we may be subject to fines, penalties, injunctions or other censure that could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Even if we adequately address the issues raised by a government investigation, we may have to devote significant financial and management resources to resolve these issues, which could harm our business.

We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our wholly owned subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries and affiliated entities to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

We are a holding company, and we may rely on dividends from our wholly owned subsidiaries in China and service, license and other fees paid to our wholly owned subsidiaries by New Oriental China and its subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including any debt we may incur. Current PRC regulations permit our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries and affiliated entities (other than our schools) in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital, and each of our subsidiaries is required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund at the discretion of the board. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require us to adjust our taxable income under the contractual arrangements we currently have in place in a manner that would materially and adversely affect our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. Moreover, at the end of each fiscal year, every private school in China is required to allocate a certain amount to its development fund for the construction or maintenance of the school or procurement or upgrade of educational equipment. In the case of a private school that requires reasonable returns, this amount shall be no less than 25% of the annual net income of the school, while in the case of a private school that does not require reasonable returns, this amount shall be equivalent to no less than 25% of the annual increase in the net assets of the school, if any. On December 3, 2007, we established Elite Concept Holdings Limited, or Elite Concept, as our wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, which now directly owns our three wholly-owned subsidiaries in China. According to the Agreement Between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income, under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, dividends from our subsidiaries in China distributed to Elite Concept will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 5%. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries and affiliated entities to distribute dividends or other payments to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

 

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PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries and affiliated entities, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

As an offshore holding company of our PRC operating subsidiaries and affiliated entities, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated PRC affiliated entities are subject to PRC regulations and approvals. For example:

 

   

loans by us to our wholly owned subsidiaries in China, each of which is a foreign-invested enterprise, to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its local counterpart; and

 

   

loans by us to New Oriental China or its subsidiaries, which are domestic PRC entities, must be approved by the relevant government authorities and must also be registered with SAFE or its local counterpart.

We may also decide to finance our wholly owned subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be approved by the PRC Ministry of Commerce or its local counterpart. Further, SAFE promulgated a new circular in August 2008 with respect to the administration of conversion of foreign exchange capital contributions of foreign invested enterprise. The circular clarifies that RMB converted from foreign exchange capital contributions can only be used for the activities within the approved business scope of such foreign invested enterprise and cannot be used for domestic equity investment unless otherwise allowed. Because New Oriental China and its subsidiaries are domestic PRC entities, we are not likely to finance their activities by means of capital contributions due to regulatory issues relating to foreign investment in domestic PRC entities, as well as the licensing and other regulatory issues discussed in “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation.” We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans or capital contributions by us to our subsidiaries or New Oriental China or any of their respective subsidiaries. If we fail to receive such registrations or approvals, our ability to use make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries and affiliated entities may be negatively affected, which could adversely and materially affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business and reputation and subject us to liability for information displayed on our websites.

The PRC government has adopted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China, or is reactionary, obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the revocation of licenses to provide Internet content and other licenses, and the closure of the concerned websites. In the past, failure to comply with such requirements has resulted in the closure of certain websites. The website operator may also be held liable for such censored information displayed on or linked to the websites. If any of our websites, including those used for our online education business, are found to be in violation of any such requirements, we may be penalized by relevant authorities, and our operations or reputation could be adversely affected.

Some of our affiliated companies previously engaged in activities without necessary approvals. This could subject those companies to fines and other penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Some of our affiliated companies historically engaged in business activities that were not within the authorized scope of their respective licenses and without requisite approvals. For example, Xuncheng Network had engaged in online sales of publications without all necessary licenses and permits. Each of these companies subsequently ceased the unauthorized activities or included these activities into the business scope of their respective business licenses. While all these companies currently operate within their

 

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authorized scope of business or are in the process of obtaining relevant licenses, the relevant PRC authorities have the authority to impose fines or other penalties for their violations. In rare instances, these authorities may require disgorgement of profits or revoke business license, but as a matter of practice, the authorities are likely to impose such an extreme penalty only after repeated warnings are ignored or where a violation is blatant and continuous. Due to the discretionary nature of regulatory enforcements in the PRC, we cannot assure you that these companies will not be subject to such type of penalties for their past violations, or that such type of penalties will not have a material adverse effect on our business.

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and application of the newly promulgated Administrative Measures Regarding Internet Audio-Video Program Services, or the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures. If the governmental authorities decide that our provision of online education services fall within the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures and we are unable to re-register or obtain the necessary license timely, or at all, our equity ownership structure may require restructuring, or we may become subject to penalties, fines, legal sanctions or an order to suspend our use of audio-video content.

On December 20, 2007, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or SARFT, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, issued the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures, which became effective on January 31, 2008. Among other things, the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures stipulate that no entities or individuals may provide Internet audio-video program services without a License for Disseminating Audio-Video Programs through Information Network issued by SARFT or its local counterparts or completing the relevant registration with SARFT or its local counterparts and only entities wholly owned or controlled by the PRC government may engage in the production, editing, integration or consolidation, and transfer to the public through the Internet, of audio-video programs, and the provision of audio-video program uploading and transmission services. On February 3, 2008, SARFT and MIIT jointly held a press conference in response to inquiries related to the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures, during which SARFT and MIIT officials indicated that providers of audio-video program services established prior to the promulgation date of the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures that do not have any regulatory non-compliance records can re-register with the relevant government authorities to continue their current business operations. After the conference, the two authorities published a press release that confirms the above guidelines. As both the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures and the press release have been promulgated only recently, there are significant uncertainties relating to their interpretation and implementation, in particular, the scope of “Internet Audio-Video Programs.”

Xuncheng Network, our affiliated entity engaging in online education services, does not possess a License for Disseminating Audio-Video Programs through Information Network. However, we do not believe that we are required to apply for a License for Disseminating Audio-Video Programs through Information Network as an enterprise providing online education and test preparation courses. As an online education services provider, we transmit our audio-video educational courses and programs through the Internet only to enrolled course participants, not to the general public. The limited scope of our audience distinguishes us from general online audio-video broadcasting companies, such as companies operating user-generated content websites. As a result, we believe that we are not one of those providers of audio-video program services covered under the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures. In the event that we are deemed to be a provider of audio-video program services covered under the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures, we believe that pursuant to the press release, it is possible that we may be allowed to continue our current operations and re-register with SARFT or MIIT in accordance with the published guidelines. We will monitor the regulatory developments relating to the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures and we will re-register with the relevant governmental authorities if required. However, if the governmental authorities decide that our provision of online education services falls within the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures and we are unable to re-register or obtain the necessary license timely, or at all, due to reasons beyond our control, our equity ownership structure may require restructuring, or we may become subject to significant penalties, fines, legal sanctions or an order to suspend our use of audio-video content, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Adverse changes in economic and political policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could adversely affect our business.

Substantially all of our business operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to a significant degree to economic, political and legal developments in China. China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past 20 years, growth has been uneven across different regions and among various economic sectors of China. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic development and guide the allocation of resources. While some of these measures benefit the overall PRC economy, they may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us. As the PRC economy is increasingly intricately linked to the global economy, it is affected in various respects by downturns and recessions of major economies around the world, such as the recent financial services and economic crises of these economies. The various economic and policy measures the PRC government enacts to forestall economic downturns or shore up the PRC economy could affect our business.

The PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although the PRC government has implemented measures since the late 1970s emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the PRC government. In addition, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Since late 2003, the PRC government implemented a number of measures, such as raising interest rates and bank reserve requirements to place additional limitations on the ability of commercial banks to make loans, in order to contain the growth of specific segments of China’s economy that it believed to be overheating. These actions, as well as future actions and policies of the PRC government, could materially affect our liquidity and access to capital and our ability to operate our business.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.

We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until some time after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

 

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You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based on United States or other foreign laws against us, our management named in the annual report.

We conduct substantially all of our operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, all of our senior executive officers reside within China. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States or elsewhere outside China upon our senior executive officers, including with respect to matters arising under U.S. federal securities laws or applicable state securities laws. Moreover, our PRC counsel has advised us that the PRC does not have treaties with the United States or many other countries providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgment of courts.

Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility between the RMB and foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in RMB. Under our current corporate structure, our income is primarily derived from dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and our affiliated entity to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade- related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs.

PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders to personal liability and limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to us, or otherwise adversely affect us.

SAFE issued a public notice in October 2005, or the SAFE notice, requiring PRC residents to register with the local SAFE branch before establishing or controlling any company outside of China for the purpose of capital financing with assets or equities of PRC companies, referred to in the notice as an “offshore special purpose company.” PRC residents that are shareholders of offshore special purpose companies established before November 1, 2005 were required to register with the local SAFE branch before March 31, 2006. Our current beneficial owners who are PRC residents have registered with the local SAFE branch as required under the SAFE notice. The failure of these beneficial owners to timely amend their SAFE registrations pursuant to the SAFE notice or the failure of future beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in the SAFE notice may subject such beneficial owners to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to our company or otherwise adversely affect our business.

All employee participants in our share incentive plan who are PRC citizens may be required to register with SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional share incentive plans for our directors and employees under PRC law.

To implement the Administrative Rule on Foreign Exchange Matters of Individuals and its related Implementing Rule, on April 6, 2007, the department of general administration affairs of SAFE issued the Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Option Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company, or Circular No. 78. It is not clear whether Circular No. 78 covers any type of equity compensation plans or incentive plans which provide for the grant of ordinary share options or authorize the grant of restricted share awards. For any plans which are covered by Circular No. 78 and are adopted by an overseas listed company, Circular No. 78 requires the employee participants who are PRC citizens to register with SAFE or its local branch within ten days of the beginning of each quarter. Registration should have been made by July 5, 2007 if the employee participated in such plan prior to April 6, 2007. In addition, Circular No. 78 also requires the employee participants who are PRC citizens to follow a series of requirements, including applications for foreign exchange purchase quotas, opening special bank accounts and filings with SAFE or its local branch before they exercise their stock option.

 

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Circular No. 78 has not yet been made publicly available and has not been formally promulgated by SAFE. However, SAFE has already begun enforcing its provisions. We cannot predict whether SAFE will continue to enforce this circular or adopt additional or different requirements with respect to equity compensation plans or incentive plans. If it is determined that our share incentive plan is subject to Circular No. 78, failure to comply with such provisions may subject us and the participants of our share incentive plan who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and may prevent us from further granting options under our share incentive plan to our employees. Such events could adversely affect our business operations.

Fluctuation in the value of the RMB may have a material adverse effect on your investment.

The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy has resulted in an approximately 19.3% appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar between July 21, 2005 and May 30, 2008. While the international reaction to the RMB revaluation has generally been positive, there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar. Our revenues and costs are mostly denominated in the RMB, and a significant portion of our financial assets are also denominated in RMB. We may rely entirely on dividends and other fees paid to us by our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China. Any significant revaluation of the RMB may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in U.S. dollars. For example, a further appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would make any new RMB-denominated investments or expenditures more costly to us, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into the RMB for such purposes.

If any of our PRC subsidiaries, affiliated entities and their subsidiaries becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or liquidation proceeding, we may lose the ability to use and enjoy those assets, which could reduce the size of our operations and materially and adversely affect our business, ability to generate revenue and the market price of our ADSs.

To comply with PRC laws and regulations relating to foreign ownership restrictions in the education business, we currently conduct our operations in China through contractual arrangements with New Oriental China, its shareholders and subsidiaries. As part of these arrangements, New Oriental China and its subsidiaries hold some of the assets that are important to the operation of our business. If any of these entities goes bankrupt and all or part of their assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, our ability to generate revenue and the market price of our ADSs.

We may be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the EIT Law, which may subject us to PRC income tax for any dividends we receive from our subsidiaries in China and withholding for any dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders.

Under the EIT Law, enterprises established outside of China whose “de facto management bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises,” and will generally be subject to the uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate for their global income. Although the term “de facto management bodies” is defined as “management bodies which has substantial and overall management and control power on the operation, human resources, accounting and assets of the enterprise,” the circumstances under which an enterprise’s “de facto management body” would be considered to be located in China are currently unclear. Our management is currently based in China and is expected to remain in China after the effectiveness of the EIT Law. In addition, although the EIT Law provides that dividend income between “qualified resident enterprises” is exempted income, it is unclear what is considered a “qualified resident enterprise.” If we are required to pay income tax for any dividends we receive from our subsidiaries, the amount of dividends we can pay to our shareholders and ADS holders could be materially reduced.

 

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Furthermore, the EIT Law provides that an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends payable to non-PRC investors which are derived from sources within China, although such income tax may be exempted or reduced by the State Counsel of the PRC or pursuant to a tax treaty between China and the jurisdictions in which our non-PRC shareholders reside. Under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, dividends from our subsidiaries in China distributed to Elite Concept, our wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary, will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 5%. If we are required under the EIT Law to withhold income tax on dividends payable to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders, the value of your investment may be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our ADSs

The market price for our ADSs may be volatile.

The market price for our ADSs may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors such as actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts, changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other education companies, announcements by us or our competitions of material acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments, fluctuations of exchange rates between RMB and the U.S. dollar, intellectual property litigation, economic or political conditions in China and the impact of global macroeconomic conditions. In addition, the performance, and fluctuation in market prices, of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States may affect the volatility in the price of and trading volumes of our ADSs. Furthermore, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our ADSs. Volatility in global capital markets, such as impact from recent global financial services and economic crises, could also have an effect on the market price of our ADSs.

We may need additional capital, and the sale of additional ADSs or other equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders.

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, anticipated cash flow from operations and the net proceeds from our initial public offering in September 2006 and from our additional public offering in February 2007 will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the near future. We may, however, require additional cash resources to finance our continued growth or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. The amount and timing of such additional financing needs will vary principally depending on the timing of new school and learning center openings, investments and/or acquisitions, and the amount of cash flow from our operations. If our resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations.

Our ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:

 

   

investors’ perception of, and demand for, securities of educational service providers;

 

   

conditions of the U.S. and other capital markets in which we may seek to raise funds;

 

   

our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;

 

   

PRC governmental regulation of foreign investment in education in China;

 

   

economic, political and other conditions in China; and

 

   

PRC governmental policies relating to foreign currency borrowings.

 

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We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all, especially if the recent global financial services and economic crises continue or worsen. If we fail to raise additional funds, we may need to sell debt or additional equity securities or to reduce our growth to a level that can be supported by our cash flow. Without additional capital, we may not be able to:

 

   

open additional schools and learning centers;

 

   

acquire necessary technologies, products or businesses;

 

   

hire, train and retain teachers and other employees;

 

   

market our programs, services and products; or

 

   

respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated capital requirements.

Our corporate actions are substantially controlled by our officers, directors, principal shareholders and affiliated entities.

As of the date of this annual report, our executive officers, directors and their affiliated entities beneficially own approximately 21.6% of our outstanding shares. These shareholders, if they acted together, could exert substantial influence over matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including electing directors and approving mergers or other business combination transactions and they may not act in the best interests of other minority shareholders. This concentration of ownership may also discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our ADSs. These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders.

Substantial future sales or the perception of sales of our ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.

Sales of our ADSs or common shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline. As of the date of this annual report, we have 152,197,907 common shares outstanding, including 110,379,068 common shares represented by 27,594,767 ADSs.

In addition, certain holders of our common shares will have the right to cause us to register the sale of their shares under the Securities Act. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Sales of these registered shares in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline. If any existing shareholder or shareholders sell a substantial amount of common shares, the market price of our ADSs could decline.

If securities or industry analysts publish negative reports about our business, the price and trading volume of our securities could decline.

The trading market for our securities depends, in part, on the research reports and ratings that securities or industry analysts or ratings agencies publish about us, our business and the private education market in China in general. We do not have any control over these analysts or agencies. If one or more of the analysts or agencies who cover us downgrades us or our securities, the price of our securities may decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause the price of our securities or trading volume to decline.

You may not have the same voting rights as the holders of our common shares and may not receive voting materials in time to be able to exercise your right to vote.

Except as described in the deposit agreement, holders of our ADSs will not be able to exercise voting rights attaching to the shares evidenced by our ADSs on an individual basis. Holders of our ADSs will appoint the depositary or its nominee as their representative to exercise the voting rights attaching to the shares represented by the ADSs. You may not receive voting materials in

 

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time to instruct the depositary to vote, and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote. Upon our written request, the depositary will mail to you a shareholder meeting notice which contains, among other things, a statement as to the manner in which your voting instructions may be given, including an express indication that such instructions may be given or deemed given to the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us if no instructions are received by the depositary from you on or before the response date established by the depositary. However, no voting instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which we inform the depositary that (i) we do not wish such proxy given, (ii) substantial opposition exists or (iii) such matter materially and adversely affects the rights of shareholders.

You may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution of your holdings as a result.

We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, the depositary will not offer those rights to ADS holders unless both the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are either registered under the Securities Act, or exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. In addition, we may not be able to take advantage of any exemptions from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, holders of our ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in their holdings as a result.

You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our wholly owned subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China. All of our officers reside outside the United States and some or all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the Cayman Islands or in China in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the respective laws of the Cayman Islands and China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will generally recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.

We are a Cayman Islands company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than under U.S. law, you may have less protection of your shareholder rights than you would under U.S. law.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and by the Companies Law (2007 Revision) and common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors and us, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and provides significantly less protection to investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the federal courts of the United States.

 

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As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.

Our articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our common shares and ADSs.

Our articles of association contain provisions that limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our common shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our ADSs or common shares.

We believe we were not a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ending May 31, 2008. However, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to ambiguity in several respects, and, in addition, we must make a separate determination each taxable year as to whether we are a PFIC (after the close of each taxable year). Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year ending May 31, 2009 or any future taxable year. A non-U.S. corporation will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. The value of our assets will be determined based on the market price of our ADSs and common shares, which may fluctuate. If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. person held an ADS or a common share, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. person. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

 

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. History and Development of the Company

Our first school was established by Michael Minhong Yu, our chairman and chief executive officer, in Beijing, China in 1993 to offer TOEFL test preparation courses to college students. We established New Oriental China in 2001 to own all of our schools and learning centers. Since our inception, we have grown rapidly and transformed ourselves from primarily a language training and test preparation company to the largest provider of private educational services in China offering a wide range of educational programs, services and products to a varied student population throughout China.

In order to facilitate foreign investment in our company, we established our offshore holding company, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc., as a company registered in the British Virgin Islands in August 2004. On January 25, 2006, our shareholders approved the changing of our offshore holding company’s corporate domicile to the Cayman Islands, and we are now a Cayman Islands company limited by shares. On December 3, 2007, we established Elite Concept as our wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, which now directly owns our three wholly-owned subsidiaries in China.

We and certain selling shareholders of our company completed an initial public offering of 8,625,000 ADSs in September 2006. On September 7, 2006, we listed our ADSs on the NYSE under the symbol “EDU.” In February 2007, we and certain selling shareholders of our company completed an additional public offering of 7,300,000 ADSs.

 

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Our principal executive offices are located at No. 6 Hai Dian Zhong Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100080, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +(8610) 6260-5566. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at Codan Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman KY1-1111, Cayman Islands. Our telephone number at this address is +(1) 345-949-1040. In addition, we have branch offices in 32 cities in China and one branch office in Vancouver, Canada. Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.

Recent Developments

Acquisitions

On April 14, 2008, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 60% equity stake in Mingshitang, a Beijing-based private school that specializes in tutoring students seeking to retake the gaokao, the Chinese college entrance examination. The remaining 40% equity stake in Mingshitang will be subject to a multi-year earn-out structure. The transaction closed in June 2008. On July 26, 2008, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire Tongwen, a Changchun-based private school that provides types of services similar to the services that Mingshitang provides. These strategic acquisitions are expected to allow us to extend our New Oriental brand to the large non-English test preparation market; moderate the seasonality of our businesses as the gaokao re-takers training market is largely counter-seasonal to our other core businesses; offer opportunities for consolidation in the highly-fragmented gaokao training market; and provide synergies with our “New Oriental U-Can” training program which targets middle and high school Chinese students ages 13 to 18 who are preparing for the gaokao.

Share Repurchase Program

In February 2008, our board approved a share repurchase program which authorized New Oriental to repurchase up to one million of its own ADSs during the period from February 25, 2008 to December 31, 2008 in block trades from time to time on the open market using funds from its available cash balance. We completed the repurchase of one million ADSs in July 2008.

B. Business Overview

We are the largest provider of private educational services in China based on the number of program offerings, total student enrollments and geographic presence. We offer a wide range of educational programs, services and products consisting primarily of English and other foreign language training, test preparation courses for admissions and assessment tests in the United States, the PRC and Commonwealth countries, primary and secondary school education, development and distribution of educational content, software and other technology, and online education. We provide educational services under our “New Oriental” brand, which we believe is the leading consumer brand in China’s private education sector, as evidenced by awards we received from many national print and online media sources in China, including the “Most Influential Education Brand in 2005” from Southern China Metropolitan Daily, a newspaper with nationwide circulation, which granted the award to us based on the results of a survey jointly conducted by eleven newspapers and Internet companies to evaluate teaching quality, resources and methods as well as facilities of over 200 educational organizations in China; and the “2006 Top Ten Largest Private Educational Organizations in China” from over 40 major media outlets in China.

Since our inception in 1993, we have had approximately 5.8 million cumulative student enrollments. In the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had approximately over 1,280,000 student enrollments, including approximately 746,000 student enrollments in our language training programs and approximately 525,000 student enrollments in our test preparation courses. We deliver our educational programs, services and products to students through an extensive physical network of 41 schools, 207 learning centers and 22 bookstores operated by us as of May 31, 2008, over 5,000 third-party bookstores and approximately 3,300 teachers in 38 cities, as well as through our virtual online network, which has approximately 4.5 million registered users.

 

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We have experienced significant growth in our business in recent years. Our total net revenues increased from US$77.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2005 to US$201.0 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, representing a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 37.3%. Net revenues from our language training and test preparation courses accounted for 89.2%, 88.3% and 87.6%, respectively, of our total net revenues in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Our net income decreased from US$17.2 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2005 to US$6.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 primarily due to the US$7.9 million share-based compensation expenses we incurred in the year. Our net income increased to US$28.6 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 and US$49.0 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.

Our Network

We deliver our education programs, services and products to students through an extensive physical network of 41 schools, 207 learning centers and 22 bookstores operated by us as of May 31, 2008, over 5,000 third-party bookstores and approximately 3,300 teachers in 38 cities, as well as through our virtual online network with approximately 4.5 million registered users. In addition, as we have had over 5.8 million cumulative student enrollments since our inception, we have an extensive network of students and alumni. This network has been essential in promoting our brand and our programs, services and products by word-of-mouth referrals and through our students’ and alumni’s academic and career achievements. We will continue to open new schools and learning centers in cities that exhibit strong enrollment potential.

All of our schools, learning centers and bookstores operate under our “New Oriental” brand. Our hub schools in major cities consist of classrooms and administrative facilities with full student and administrative services while our schools in satellite cities and our learning centers consist primarily of classroom facilities and limited course registration and management capabilities. We select new locations based on various factors, including demographics and the number of colleges in, and the economic condition of, the particular region. We have opened bookstores in our established schools to primarily sell educational materials relating to our courses and also sell self-help, know-how, inspirational and other books.

We lease all of our facilities except for part of the premises for the Beijing, Xi’an, Tianjin and Yangzhou schools, which we own. The following table sets forth information concerning the locations of our schools, learning centers and bookstores as of May 31, 2008.

 

City

   Number of
schools
   Number of
learning centers
   Number of
bookstores
Beijing    4    27    1
Shanghai    1    27    1
Guangzhou    1    9    1
Wuhan    1    15    1
Yangzhou    1    1    —  
Tianjin    1    10    1
Xi’an    1    7    1
Nanjing    1    7    1
Shenyang    1    11    1
Chongqing    1    8    1
Chengdu    1    6    1
Shenzhen    1    3    —  
Langfang    1    1    1
Xiangfan    1    4    —  
Taiyuan    1    6    1
Haerbin    1    7    1
Changsha    1    5    1
Jinan    1    5    1

 

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City

   Number of
schools
   Number of
learning centers
   Number of
bookstores
Zhengzhou    1    4    1
Hangzhou    1    6    1
Changchun    1    3    1
Shijiazhuang    1    3    —  
Suzhou    1    2    —  
Zhuzhou    1    1    —  
Anshan    1    1    —  
Hefei    1    3    1
Kunming    1    4    —  
Wuxi    1    2    —  
Foshan    1    1    —  
Fuzhou    1    3    1
Yichang    1    2    —  
Taixing    1    1    —  
Nanchang    1    4    1
Jingzhou    1    1    —  
Dalian    1    4    1
Lanzhou    1    1    —  
Huangshi    1    1    —  
Ningbo    1    1    —  
              
Total    41    207    22

Our Programs, Services and Products

We provide a wide variety of educational programs, services and products intended to address the needs of our students. We deliver education to our students primarily in traditional classroom settings and also through online instruction. With the exception of the full-time primary and secondary school in Yangzhou and a school that provides post-secondary education, our classroom-based courses are generally designed to be completed in two to 16 weeks. Course fees are determined based on the length of the course, the size and the subject of the class, the area of study and the geographic location of the school. We currently have a full-time staff of approximately 150 people involved in our centralized curriculum development process. We update and expand our course offerings frequently in response to evolving market needs. Our program, service and product offerings are generally divided into six areas: language training; test preparation; primary and secondary school; educational content, software and other technology development and distribution; online education; and other services and products.

Language Training Courses

Our language training courses primarily consist of various types of English language training courses. We also provide training courses for other foreign languages, including German, Japanese, French, Korean and Spanish. In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had approximately 746,000 student enrollments in our language training courses, of which over 90% were in our English language training courses. Our interactive courses focus not only on reading and writing, but also on teaching and improving critical listening and speaking skills.

We recognize that students progress at different rates when learning foreign languages and our large number of students allows us to offer suitable courses at many different levels of proficiency. While we offer English to students of all age groups and with various motivations for learning English, we generally categorize our English language training courses into the following areas: (i) English for adults; (ii) English for children, including our recently added “Pop Kids” English program; (iii) English for middle school and high schools students; and (iv) “Elite English” for high-income adults and children of high-income families.

English for Adults. Historically, this has been the primary component of our English language training courses. Many employers in China, including foreign-invested enterprises, multinational corporations’ branch offices as well as domestic enterprises involved in international business transactions or the tourism industry, require their employees to have a high level of English proficiency.

 

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Our English for adults program offers courses designed to teach and improve college and other adult students’ English writing, reading, listening and speaking skills. Our schools and learning centers also have language labs at which our students can listen to and recite spoken passages on CDs and audio tapes to improve their listening and speaking skills. A typical course lasts for six to 12 weeks with classroom instruction one to four times per week for two to five hours per visit. We also offer more intensive and condensed versions of our courses, in particular during the summer months when many academic institutions are on summer break. Our English for adults courses typically consist of approximately 20 to 150 students per class.

In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had approximately 274,000 student enrollments in our English for adults courses and approximately 25.1%, 16.4% and 7.5% of the total enrollments were for courses taught in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, respectively. Course fees for our English for adults courses range from RMB200 to RMB3,000 per course.

English for Children. We established our English for children program in 2002 for children in kindergarten through grade six and it has achieved rapid growth. We designed our English for children program based upon the following principles: (i) we use localized materials originally published by international education content providers and publishers while taking into account the local public schools’ curricula, the skills and abilities of the individual child and adapting to his or her particular needs; (ii) we assist students in mastering the basics of the language in various fun ways, including interactive games, activities and cultural studies; and (iii) we give children a passion for learning the language and guide and inspire them to develop their self-learning abilities. In 2004, we established our “Pop Kids” English learning centers at which we attempt to immerse young kids in a fun and interactive English-speaking environment dedicated solely to children.

Our English for children classes are divided into classes of approximately 10 to 25 students per class. Students attend class one to two times per week for 1.5 to two hours per class. We test our students to measure their progress and make sure they are progressing as needed to advance to the next book and class level without jeopardizing the fundamentals that will allow them to excel in the future.

In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had approximately 205,000 student enrollments in our English for children program, and approximately 21.5%, 10.5% and 9.9% of the enrollments took place in Wuhan, Beijing and Guangzhou, respectively. Course fees for our English for children courses range from RMB200 to RMB3,000 per course.

English for Middle School and High School Students. English proficiency is tested as a major subject of entrance exams for admission into China’s high schools, colleges and universities. Given the intense competition to gain admission into top high schools and higher education institutions in China, English exam scores can be a deciding factor in gaining admission. Our English language training courses for middle school and high school students are designed to supplement students’ regular school curricula and help students achieve better scores on English exams for admission into high schools or higher education institutions.

Our typical English courses for middle school and high school students last for eight to 16 weeks with classroom instruction one to four times per week for 90 minutes to five hours per visit. We also offer more intensive and condensed versions of our courses, in particular during the summer months when many academic institutions are on summer break. These courses typically consist of approximately 30 to 300 students per class.

In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had approximately 210,000 student enrollments in our English language training courses for middle school and high school students, and approximately 21.5%, 8.5%, and 7.8% of the enrollments took place in Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, respectively. Course fees for our English training courses for middle school and high school students range from RMB200 to RMB2,000 per course.

“Elite English” for High-Income Adults and Children of High-Income Families. With the recent economic growth of China and increased sophistication and frequency of international business transactions, there is a growing demand for high-end, personalized, advanced English language training for high-income working professionals and other adults in large, economically prosperous cities. China’s economic growth has led to increased personal disposable income which, coupled with the “single child” policy and the potential rewards of English proficiency, has prompted Chinese families to spend a high percentage of their disposable income investing in their children’s English language education. We started our “Elite English” programs for high-income adults and children of high income families in 2003 in response to the market demand from high-income students and parents for such personalized instruction.

 

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While we have a standardized curriculum for our “Elite English” program, our trained teachers work closely with a small group of students to evaluate and customize the curriculum based on the progress and demands of the students. Our “Elite English” program is divided into classes of one to ten students per class.

In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had approximately 2,600 students in our “Elite English” program at our “Elite English” centers in Beijing. The schedules of our “Elite English” classes are more flexible in order to accommodate students’ schedules and are provided in up-scale locations and environments. We plan to continue growing this area of our business. Enrollment fees for our “Elite English” program generally range from RMB12,000 to RMB18,000 per year.

Test Preparation Courses

We offer test preparation courses to students taking language and entrance exams used by educational institutions in the United States, the PRC and Commonwealth countries. In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had over 525,000 student enrollments in our test preparation courses, of which approximately 206,000 were in overseas test preparation courses and 319,000 were in PRC test preparation courses.

We offer test preparation courses for the following major overseas exams: TOEFL, TSE, SAT, ACT, IELTS, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, BEC and TOEIC. In addition, we offer test preparation classes for the following major PRC admissions tests: CET 4, CET 6, National English Test for Entrance into Master’s Degree Programs, National Math Test for Entrance of Master’s Degree Programs, Professional Title English Test and Public English Test System. In November 2006, we established our Beijing New Oriental North Star Training School to expand into the professional certification preparation field, which includes preparation for the PRC bar, the PRC certified public accountant and civil service exams. In November 2007, Educational Testing Service, the creator of the TOEFL, and New Oriental reached an agreement making New Oriental’s language schools the only language schools in China authorized by the Educational Testing Service to sell the TOEFL Practice Online, or the TPO, in their training classes. As part of the agreement, New Oriental has an exclusive right to provide the TPO as a component of its language training or test preparation courses and may also sell the TPO to the general public through its bookstores. Educational Testing Service will continue to sell the TPO on its own website and through its subsidiaries or other third-party resellers.

In March 2008, we launched our “New Oriental U-Can” training program which targets middle and high school Chinese students from ages 13 to 18 who are preparing for the college entrance examination in China, known as the gaokao. The gaokao is required for admission to bachelor degree programs and most associate degree programs at Chinese colleges and universities. In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had over 15,000 student eollments in New Oriental U-Can. To complement New Oriental U-Can, we also entered the gaokao re-takers market with our acquisition of Mingshitang, a Beijing-based private school that specializes in tutoring students who seek to retake the gaokao, in April 2008 and our acquisition of Tongwen, a Changchun-based private school providing similar types of services, in July 2008.

In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, approximately 39.3% and 20.2% of the total student enrollments in our overseas test preparation courses took place in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively, and approximately 25.2% of the total student enrollments in our PRC test preparation courses took place in Beijing, while no other city accounted for over 10% of the total student enrollments in our PRC test preparation courses.

Our test preparation courses focus on quality instruction and test-taking techniques designed to help students achieve high scores on the admissions and assessment tests. Our experienced teachers generally teach in large classes ranging from 50 students to 500 students. Our students enroll in a 20 to 160 hour program with classes meeting one to four times per week for approximately 2.5 hours per class. We also offer intensive and condensed versions of our courses, which are compacted into shorter time periods. Course fees for our test preparation courses range from RMB150 to RMB25,000 per course.

 

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Primary and Secondary Schools

New Oriental China established the first full-time private primary and secondary school in Yangzhou in 2002. This is a private boarding school for students in grades one to twelve seeking a full curriculum taught in both Chinese and English, with a strong emphasis on English language training. We target parents who desire to provide their children with a global vision and an understanding and appreciation of both traditional Chinese culture and the modern world, a competitive advantage in academics and social development and English language proficiency. Our goal is to develop the Yangzhou school, and other new schools to be established in the future, into elite schools whose students consistently gain acceptance into the top universities in China and around the world.

We attempt to immerse our students in the English language at an early age through native English speaking teachers and activities designed to emphasize early and significant exposure to a bilingual environment. The Yangzhou private school has a capacity of up to 4,000 students. In 2007, we had over 3,000 students at the Yangzhou school, approximately 48.7% of whom came from Yangzhou, with the remainder from various parts of China. Our students must take an admission test and undergo an interview to gain acceptance into our school.

There are over 240 teachers and 300 supporting staff at the Yangzhou school. The school has been regarded as one of the best primary and secondary schools in the local market since shortly after its inception. In 2007, the school accepted 1,024 students out of over 1,900 applicants from the local market as well as elsewhere in China.

The Yangzhou school has received various accreditations from local authorities. We work closely with the local educational authorities to make sure that our curriculum is compatible with public school curriculums and covers the full spectrum of required courses. We have also expanded our curriculum to include subjects, activities and techniques that teach the students to learn and think independently. There is less emphasis on memorization and recitation and greater emphasis on creative thinking and analytical activities. We use computers as a major part of our teaching and learning methods and encourage students to learn in an interactive format. In 2007, tuition at the Yangzhou school ranged from RMB5,000 to RMB10,000 per year.

In September 2006, we opened our second primary and secondary school in Taixing, China near our Yangzhou school. We closed our Taixing school in July 2008, and we transferred all the students and teachers from our Taixing school to our Yangzhou school.

In November 2007, we established our pre-school business with the opening of our first kindergarten in Beijing, which currently has 40 students and has a capacity of enrolling up to 180 students.

Educational Content, Software and Other Technology Development and Distribution

We develop and edit content for educational materials for language training and test preparation, such as books, software, CD-ROMs, magazines and other periodicals, as well as “self-help,” “know-how” and “inspirational” books for our students and other readers. We distribute these materials through various distribution channels, consisting of our own classrooms and bookstores as well as third-party distributors, including over 5,000 bookstores in China. In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we developed and edited over 100 titles and distributed approximately 7.6 million books authored or licensed by us in China. Over 95% of the materials distributed by us are education-related and include the materials that we use in our courses and also include a large number of titles that we market for use in English language area.

Our extensive distribution channels have attracted international education content providers to cooperate with us in distributing localized versions of their materials in China. We currently have arrangements with Pearson Education, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Cambridge University Press, Barron’s and Wiley or their respective authorized local publishers, to develop and distribute localized versions of selected educational materials in China, some of which bear both our logo and the original publisher’s logo. In January 2007, we entered into an agreement with DynEd International Inc., or DynEd, to license DynEd’s proprietary English language training software for use in our Elite English programs and to collaborate with DynEd to develop accompanying teaching materials. In November 2007, we entered into an agreement with Heinle ELT, a part of Cengage Learning and a leading provider of materials of English language teaching and learning throughout the world. Under the agreement, Heinle ELT will work with New Oriental’s instructors to develop a line of localized English language learning materials, including textbooks, audio and video programs, and Internet-based content for use via our Koolearn.com online learning platform and in our “iEnglish” brand courses,

 

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which is our specially branded English-language learning program that focuses on improving students’ listening comprehension and speaking abilities. Heinle ELT will also support ongoing instructor training and research activities for us. In June 2008, we and Intuto Ltd., a New Zealand-based e-learning solutions provider, formed a strategic partnership to co-develop and update custom learning materials tailored to our existing International English Language Testing System, or IELTS courses. IELTS is used to assess the language ability of second language speakers planning to live, work or study in English-speaking countries. Under the agreement, Intuto will work with our instructors to develop a line of English language learning materials, including textbooks, to address the four skills in the IELTS exam: reading, writing, speaking and listening of the English language. New Oriental has the rights under the agreement to develop its own IELTS courses and exercises through our Koolearn.com online learning platform based on material developed under the partnership. We plan to establish additional strategic relationships with leading international education content providers to enrich our content offerings.

Online Education

We offer online education programs on our website www.koolearn.com. As of May 31, 2008, approximately 4.5 million users had registered accounts with us, giving them access to free informational content on our website. In our fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we had approximately 160,000 users that paid for additional access to our specialized education programs. These users purchase pre-paid cards that give them the right to use our paid content for a specific period of time or for specific courses. Course fees for our online courses range from RMB10 to RMB1,500 per course.

We currently offer approximately 500 online courses in language training courses, test preparation courses, professional certification courses, and business knowledge and skills training courses in the areas of accounting, legal, management and others. Our typical online courses last for 30 hours and each session normally lasts 15 minutes or less. We have live interactive online courses as well as courses that allow students to view replays of pre-recorded video tapes. In June 2008, we entered into an agreement with Coca-Cola (China) Beverages Ltd. to jointly develop an e-learning platform offering vocational training to Coca-Cola system employees in China through New Oriental’s Koolearn.com online platform. Our Koolearn.com online learning management system will allow Coca-Cola management and human resource professionals to evaluate employees’ knowledge in specific subject areas and assess their progress throughout the course.

Our online courses are particularly attractive to students who need the flexibility to prepare at any time of the day or night and on short notice. Our online tools provide more flexibility by offering our students the ability to choose their best and most convenient way of learning as they experience our programs.

Other Services

Overseas Studies Consulting. Our consultants help students through the application and admission process for overseas educational institutions and provide useful college, graduate and career counseling advice to help students to make informed decisions. We also counsel students with the immigration process for overseas studies, such as obtaining visas and student and off-campus housing. We charge each student a fee based on the scope of consulting services requested by the student.

Post-Secondary Education. We provide post-secondary educational programs to help students seek career opportunities requiring English proficiency, such as interpreters for international trade organizations. Such programs normally last for two years. Students have the flexibility to enroll in specific courses of interest or to enroll in the full program.

Marketing and Student Recruitment

We employ a variety of marketing and recruiting methods to attract students and increase enrollments. We have positioned ourselves as a provider of private educational services that inspires students to achieve their potential and build self-confidence and that boosts students’ enthusiasm for learning. We believe prospective students are attracted to our schools due to our excellent brand name, the quality of our programs and our relatively long operating history in the private education sector.

 

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We employ the following marketing methods to attract new and returning students:

Speeches and Seminars. Our management, most of whom are experienced teachers and were among our earliest teachers, and our top teachers frequently give speeches at colleges, universities, high schools and middle schools and to student groups, parent groups and educational organizations. They also participate in educational seminars and workshops. Our speeches include direct program promotion speeches during which we directly explain the merits and advantages of our programs or general English learning methods, as well as inspirational speeches designed to motivate students to reach their full potential and strive for success. In 2007, our management and teachers gave a total of over 5,300 speeches and seminars in China.

Referrals. Historically, our student enrollments have grown primarily through word-of-mouth referrals. Our student enrollments have benefited and will continue to benefit by referrals from our extensive network of students and alumni and the successful academic and professional careers that many of them have achieved.

Distribution of Marketing Materials. We use New Oriental “booths” and “information tables” to distribute free inspirational books authored by our chief executive officer and chairman Michael Minhong Yu and others, informational brochures, posters and flyers at various on-campus events, educational expos, conferences and college and employment fairs. We also conduct extensive free information sessions to introduce our programs to our target markets.

Advertisements. We advertise through our own websites and also on China’s leading portals, such as Sina.com and Sohu.com. We also have advertising arrangements with many Chinese national and regional newspapers and other media outlets, including school campus newspapers.

Social Events and Activities. We participate in and host community events designed to promote awareness of the virtues of education. We believe that these enhance our public image and increase brand awareness. We also host English speech competitions, English drama performances and cultural events designed to raise enthusiasm for English language learning and to further promote awareness of our brand.

Cross-Selling. As we gain footholds in many different markets, we use our programs in one market as an opportunity to advertise our programs in other markets. With a variety of programs aimed at different age groups, our goal is to create a brand name that permeates every stage of our potential students’ educational, career and life progression, from English for children to English for adults to test preparation to “Elite English” to continuing professional education, and to encourage our students to introduce their children to the same system and courses. Outside of our organization, we have established cross-promotional relationships with a number of companies, to promote our programs, services and products and awareness of our brand.

Competition

The private education sector in China is rapidly evolving, highly fragmented and competitive, and we expect competition in this sector to persist and intensify. We face competition in each major program we offer and each geographic market in which we operate. None of our competitors focuses on as broad a spectrum of programs, products and services as we provide. Instead, our competitors focus on targeted markets, both in terms of the particular segments of students they aim to attract and the local markets in which they operate.

For example, we face nationwide competition for our IELTS preparation courses from Global IELTS School, which offers IELTS preparation courses in many cities in China. We face regional competition for our English for children program from several competitors that focus on children’s English language training in specific regions, including English First. We face competition for our “Elite English” program primarily from Wall Street Institute and English First, both of which offer English language training courses for adults in many cities in China. Wall Street Institute began providing high-end English language training courses to adults in major cities several years before we entered this market and enjoys a first-mover advantage. We also face limited competition from many competitors that focus on providing international and/or PRC test preparation courses in specific geographic markets in China.

We believe that the principal competitive factors in our markets include the following:

 

   

brand recognition;

 

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overall student experience;

 

   

ability to effectively market programs, services and products to a broad base of prospective students;

 

   

scope and quality of program, service and product offerings; and

 

   

alignment of programs, services and products catering to specific needs of students, parents, educators and employers.

We believe that our primary competitive advantages are our well-known “New Oriental” brand, our innovative and inspirational instruction methods and the breadth and quality of our programs, services and products. However, some of our existing and potential competitors may have more resources than we do. These competitors may be able to devote greater resources than we can to the development, promotion and sale of their programs, services and products and respond more quickly than we can to changes in student demands, testing materials, admissions standards, market needs or new technologies. In addition, we face competition from many different smaller sized organizations that focus on some of our targeted markets, which may be able to respond more promptly to changes in student preferences in these markets.

In addition, the increasing use of the Internet and advances in Internet- and computer-related technologies, such as web video conferencing and online testing simulators, are eliminating geographic and cost-entry barriers to providing private educational services. As a result, many of our international competitors that offer online test preparation and language training courses, such as The Princeton Review, Inc. and Kaplan, Inc. may be able to more effectively penetrate the China market. Many of these international competitors have strong education brands, and students and parents in China may be attracted to the offerings of international competitors based in the country that the student wishes to study in or in which the selected language is widely spoken. In addition, many smaller companies are able to use the Internet to quickly and cost-effectively offer their programs, services and products to a large number of students with less capital expenditure than previously required.

REGULATION

The PRC government regulates the education services industry. This section summarizes the principal PRC regulations relating to our businesses.

We operate our business in China under a legal regime consisting of the State Council, which is the highest authority of the executive branch of the PRC central government, and several ministries and agencies under its authority, including the Ministry of Education, or MOE, the General Administration of Press and Publication, or GAPP, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or SAIC, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, or MCA, and their respective authorized local counterparts.

Regulations on Private Education

The principal regulations governing private education in China consist of the Education Law of the PRC, The Law for Promoting Private Education (2003) and The Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education (2004), and the Regulations on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Operating Schools. Below is a summary of relevant provisions of these regulations.

Education Law of the PRC

On March 18, 1995, the National People’s Congress enacted the Education Law of the PRC. The Education Law sets forth provisions relating to the fundamental education systems of the PRC, including a school system of pre-school education, primary education, secondary education and higher education, a system of nine-year compulsory education and a system of education certificates. The Education Law stipulates that the government formulates plans for the development of education and establishes and operates schools and other institutions of education and in principle, enterprises, social organizations and individuals are encouraged

 

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to operate schools and other types of educational organizations in accordance with PRC laws and regulations. Meanwhile, no organization or individual may establish or operate a school or any other institution of education for profit-making purposes. However, private schools may be operated for “reasonable returns,” as described in more detail below.

The Law for Promoting Private Education (2003) and The Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education (2004)

The Law for Promoting Private Education (2003) became effective on September 1, 2003, and The Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education (2004) became effective on April 1, 2004. Under these regulations, “private schools” are defined as schools established by social organizations or individuals using non-government funds. In addition, private schools providing certifications, pre-school education, education for self-study aid and other academic education shall be subject to approval by the education authorities, while private schools engaging in occupational qualification training and occupational skill training shall be subject to approvals from the authorities in charge of labor and social welfare. A duly approved private school will be granted a Permit for operating a Private School, and shall be registered with the MCA or its local counterparts as a privately run non-enterprise institution. Each of our schools has obtained the Permit for operating a Private School and has been registered with the relevant local counterpart of the MCA.

Under the above regulations, private schools have the same status as public schools, though private schools are prohibited from providing military, police, political and other kinds of education which are of a special nature. Government-run schools that provide compulsory education are not permitted to be converted into private schools. In addition, the operation of a private school is highly regulated. For example, the types and amounts of fees charged by a private school providing certifications shall be approved by the governmental pricing authority and be publicly disclosed. A private school that does not provide certifications shall file its pricing information with the governmental pricing authority and publicly disclose such information. Except for our primary and secondary school in Yangzhou, which provides graduation certifications to students, none of the schools operated by New Oriental China provides a diploma or certification to students.

Private education is treated as a public welfare undertaking under the regulations. Nonetheless, investors of a private school may choose to require “reasonable returns” from the annual net balance of the school after deduction of costs, donations received, government subsidies, if any, the reserved development fund and other expenses as required by the regulations. Private schools are divided into three categories: private schools established with donated funds; private schools that require reasonable returns and private schools that do not require reasonable returns.

The election to establish a private school requiring reasonable returns shall be provided in the articles of association of the school. The percentage of the school’s annual net balance that can be distributed as reasonable return shall be determined by the school’s board of directors, taking into consideration the following factors: (i) items and criteria for the school’s fees, (ii) the ratio of the school’s expenses used for educational activities and improving the educational conditions to the total fees collected; and (iii) the admission standards and educational quality. The relevant information relating to the above factors shall be publicly disclosed before the school’s board determines the percentage of the school’s annual net balance that can be distributed as reasonable returns. Such information and the decision to distribute reasonable returns shall also be filed with the approval authorities within 15 days from the decision made by the board. However, none of the current PRC laws and regulations provides a formula or guidelines for determining “reasonable returns.” In addition, none of the current PRC laws and regulations sets forth different requirements or restrictions on a private school’s ability to operate its education business based on such school’s status as a school that requires reasonable returns or a school that does not require reasonable returns.

At the end of each fiscal year, every private school is required to allocate a certain amount to its development fund for the construction or maintenance of the school or procurement or upgrade of educational equipment. In the case of a private school that requires reasonable returns, this amount shall be no less than 25% of the annual net income of the school, while in the case of a private school that does not require reasonable returns, this amount shall be equal to no less than 25% of the annual increase in the net assets of the school, if any. Private schools that do not require reasonable returns shall be entitled to the same preferential tax treatment as public schools, while the preferential tax treatment policies applicable to private schools requiring reasonable returns shall be formulated by the finance authority, taxation authority and other authorities under the State Council. To date, however, no regulations have been promulgated by the relevant authorities in this regard.

 

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Regulations on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Operating Schools

Chinese-foreign cooperation in operating schools or training programs is specifically governed by the Regulations on Operating Chinese-foreign Schools, promulgated by the State Council in 2003 in accordance with the Education Law, the Occupational Education Law and the Law for Promoting Private Education, and the Implementing Rules for the Regulations on Operating Chinese-foreign Schools, or the Implementing Rules, which were issued by the MOE in 2004.

The Regulations on Operating Chinese-foreign Schools and its Implementing Rules encourage substantive cooperation between overseas educational organizations with relevant qualifications and experience in providing high-quality education and Chinese educational organizations to jointly operate various types of schools in the PRC, with such cooperation in the areas of higher education and occupational education being encouraged. Chinese-foreign cooperative schools are not permitted, however, to engage in compulsory education and military, police, political and other kinds of education that are of a special nature in the PRC.

Permits for Chinese-foreign Cooperation in Operating Schools shall be obtained from the relevant education authorities or the authorities that regulate labor and social welfare in the PRC.

We have not applied for a permit for Chinese-foreign Cooperation in Operating Schools at this stage since all of our schools are operated by New Oriental China.

Regulations on Online and Distance Education

Pursuant to the Administrative Regulations on Educational Websites and Online and Distance Education Schools issued by the MOE in 2000, educational websites and online education schools may provide educational services in relation to higher education, elementary education, pre-school education, teaching education, occupational education, adult education, other education and public educational information services. “Educational websites” refers to organizations providing education or education-related information services to website visitors by means of a database or online education platform connected via the Internet or an educational television station through an Internet service provider, or ISP. “Online education schools” refer to education websites providing academic education services or training services with the issuance of various certificates.

Setting up education websites and online education schools is subject to approval from relevant education authorities, depending on the specific types of education. Any education website and online education school shall, upon the receipt of approval, indicate on its website such approval information as well as the approval date and file number.

According to the Administrative License Law promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or NPC, on August 27, 2003 and effective as of July 1, 2004, only laws promulgated by the NPC and regulations and decisions promulgated by the State Council may set down administrative license. On June 29, 2004, the State Council promulgated the Decision on Setting Down Administrative Licenses for the Administrative Examination and Approval Items Really Necessary to be Retained, in which the administrative license for “online education schools” was retained, while the administrative license for “educational websites” was not retained.

Regulations on Publishing and Distribution of Publications

On December 25, 2001, the State Council promulgated the Administrative Regulations on Publication, or the Publication Regulations, which became effective on February 1, 2002. The Publication Regulations apply to publication activities, i.e., the publishing, printing, copying, importation or distribution of publications, including books, newspapers, periodicals, audio and video products and electronic publications, each of which requires approval from the relevant publication administrative authorities.

 

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On April 13, 2005, the State Council announced a policy on private investments in China that relate to cultural matters, which affects private investments in businesses that involve publishing. The policy authorizes the Ministry of Culture and several other central government authorities to adopt detailed rules to implement the policy. In July 2005, the Ministry of Culture, together with other central government authorities, issued a regulation that prohibits private and foreign investors from engaging in the publishing business. Our subsidiaries and affiliated entities are not permitted to engage in the publishing business under this regulation. Beijing New Oriental Dogwood Cultural Communications Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of New Oriental China, has been cooperating with qualified PRC publishing companies to publish our self-developed teaching materials and other content.

Subsequent to the implementation of the Publication Regulations, the GAPP issued the Administrative Regulations on Publications Market which became effective on September 1, 2003 and which were amended on June 16, 2004. According to the Administrative Regulations on Publications Market, any organization or individual engaged in general distribution, whole sale or retail of publications shall obtain a Permit for Operating Publications. Distribution of publications in the PRC is regulated on different administrative levels. An entity engaged in general distribution of publications shall obtain such permit from the GAPP and may conduct general distribution of the publications in the PRC; an entity engaged in wholesaling of publications shall obtain such permit from the provincial counterpart of GAPP and may not engage in general distribution in the PRC; and an entity engaged in retail distribution of publications shall obtain such permit from the local counterpart of GAPP at the county level and may not conduct general distribution or wholesaling of publications in the PRC.

In addition, pursuant to the Administrative Regulations on Publishing Audio-video Products promulgated by the State Council on December 25, 2001, which became effective as of February 1, 2002, any entity engaged in the wholesale or retail distribution of audio-video products shall secure a Permit for Operating Audio-video Products from the relevant culture authorities.

The subsidiaries of New Oriental China engaged in the wholesale and retail distribution of books, periodicals, audio-visual products and electronic publications have obtained the relevant Permits for Operating Publications and the relevant Permits for Operating Audio-video Products.

Regulations on Online Publications

GAPP and MIIT jointly promulgated the Tentative Internet Publishing Administrative Measures, or the Internet Publishing Measures, which took effect on August 1, 2002. The Internet Publishing Measures require Internet publishers to obtain approval from GAPP. The term “Internet publishing” is defined as an act of online dissemination whereby Internet information service providers select, edit and process works created by themselves or others (including content from books, newspapers, periodicals, audio and video products, electronic publications, and other sources that have already been formally published or works that have been made public in other media) and subsequently post the same on the Internet or transmit the same to users via the Internet for browsing, use or downloading by the public.

Xuncheng Network, a subsidiary of New Oriental China engaging in Internet content services, received verbal confirmation from GAPP that the online content services that Xuncheng Network provides does not fall within the scope of “Internet publishing” that requires approval or a license from GAPP. Obtaining an online publication license requires certain conditions, including having five or more qualified editors, which Xuncheng Network cannot satisfy. However, because there is no further official or publicly-available interpretation of “Internet publishing,” we cannot assure you that Xuncheng Network will not require an online publication license in the future.

Regulations on Consulting Services for Overseas Studies or Private Matters

The Ministry of Public Security and the SAIC jointly issued the Administrative Measures on Intermediate Activities relating to Entry and Exit for Private Purpose on June 6, 2001, which requires that any entity engaged in intermediate and consulting services for Chinese citizens going abroad to visit families, relatives or friends, to reside abroad, to inherit properties, or to conduct other non-business matters other than studying, working or touring, shall obtain a license granted by the relevant provincial authority on public security. Regarding intermediate and consulting business activities relating to self-funded overseas studying, the MOE, the Ministry of Public Security and the SAIC jointly issued the Administrative Regulations on Intermediate Services for Overseas Studies with Private Funds and their Implementing Rules in 1999, which require that any intermediate service organization engaged in such services procure from the MOE the Recognition on the Intermediate Service Organization for Self-funded Overseas Studies.

 

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Beijing New Oriental Vision Overseas Consulting Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of New Oriental China engaging in overseas studies consulting and other consulting services, has obtained the relevant licenses from the MOE and the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Regulations on Internet Information Services

Subsequent to the State Council’s promulgation of the Telecom Regulations and the Internet Information Services Administrative Measures on September 25, 2000, or the Internet Information Measures, the MIIT and other regulatory authorities formulated and implemented a number of Internet-related regulations, including but not limited to the Internet Electronic Bulletin Board Service Administrative Measures, or the BBS Measures.

The Internet Information Measures require that commercial Internet content providers, or ICP providers, obtain a license for Internet information services, or ICP license, from the appropriate telecommunications authorities in order to carry on any commercial Internet information services in the PRC. ICP providers shall display their ICP license number in a conspicuous location on their home page. In addition, the Internet Information Measures also provide that ICP providers that operate in sensitive and strategic sectors, including news, publishing, education, health care, medicine and medical devices, must obtain additional approvals from the relevant authorities in charge of those sectors as well. The BBS Measures provide that any ICP provider engaged in providing online bulletin board services, or BBS, is subject to a special approval and filing process with the relevant telecommunications industry authorities. Xuncheng Network is in the process of obtaining such BBS approval.

In July 2006, the MIIT posted a notice on its website entitled “Notice on Strengthening Management of Foreign Investment in Operating Value-Added Telecom Services.” The notice prohibits PRC Internet content providers from leasing, transferring or selling their ICP licenses or providing facilities or other resources to any illegal foreign investors. The notice states that PRC Internet content providers should directly own the trademarks and domain names for websites operated by them, as well as servers and other infrastructure used to support these websites. The notice also states that PRC Internet content providers had until November 1, 2006 to evaluate their compliance with the notice and correct any non-compliance. A PRC Internet content provider’s failure to do so by November 1, 2006 may result in revocation of its ICP license.

Beijing New Oriental Xuncheng Network Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of New Oriental China engaging in providing online education services, has duly obtained the ICP license.

Regulations on Internet Culture Activities

The Ministry of Culture of the PRC promulgated the Internet Culture Administration Tentative Measures, or the Internet Culture Measures, on May 10, 2003, which became effective on July 1, 2003, and which were amended on July 1, 2004. The Internet Culture Measures require ICP operators engaging in Internet culture activities to obtain an Internet culture business operations license from the Ministry of Culture in accordance with the Internet Culture Measures. The term “Internet culture activities” includes, among other things, acts of online dissemination of Internet cultural products, such as audio-visual products, games, performances of plays or programs, works of art and cartoons, and the production, reproduction, importation, sale (wholesale or retail), leasing and broadcasting of Internet cultural products.

Xuncheng Network, a subsidiary of New Oriental China engaging in the distribution of certain audio-visual products through the Internet, received verbal confirmation from the Ministry of Culture that the products of Xuncheng Network do not fall within the definition of “Internet culture products” and its operations do not fall within the definition of “Internet culture activities” as defined under the Internet Culture Measures. Accordingly, Xuncheng Network is not required to obtain an Internet culture business operations license. However, because there is no further official or publicly-available interpretation of these definitions, we cannot assure you that Xuncheng Network will not need an Internet culture business operations license in the future.

 

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Regulation on Broadcasting Audio-Video Programs through the Internet or Other Information Network

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or SARFT, promulgated the Rules for Administration of Broadcasting of Audio-Video Programs through the Internet and Other Information Networks, or the Broadcasting Rules, in 2004, which became effective on October 11, 2004. The Broadcasting Rules apply to the activities of broadcasting, integration, transmission, downloading of audio-video programs with computers, televisions or mobile phones as the main terminals and through various types of information networks. Pursuant to the Broadcasting Rules, a Permit for Broadcasting Audio-video Programs via Information Network is required to engage in these Internet broadcasting activities. On April 13, 2005, the State Council announced a policy on private investments in businesses in China that relate to cultural matters, which prohibits private investments in businesses relating to the dissemination of audio-video programs through information networks.

On December 20, 2007, SARFT and MIIT issued the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures, which became effective on January 31, 2008. Among other things, the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures stipulate that no entities or individuals may provide Internet audio-video program services without a License for Disseminating Audio-Video Programs through Information Network issued by SARFT or its local counterparts or completing the relevant registration with SARFT or its local counterparts and only entities wholly owned or controlled by the PRC government may engage in the production, editing, integration or consolidation, and transfer to the public through the Internet, of audio-video programs, and the provision of audio-video program uploading and transmission services. On February 3, 2008, SARFT and MIIT jointly held a press conference in response to inquiries related to the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures, during which SARFT and MIIT officials indicated that providers of audio-video program services established prior to the promulgation date of the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures that do not have any regulatory non-compliance records can re-register with the relevant government authorities to continue their current business operations. After the conference, the two authorities published a press release that confirms the above guidelines. As both the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures and the press release have been promulgated only recently, there are significant uncertainties relating to their interpretation and implementation, in particular, the scope of “Internet Audio-Video Programs.”

Xuncheng Network, our affiliated entity engaging in online education services, does not possess a License for Disseminating Audio-Video Programs through Information Network. However, we do not believe that we are required to apply for a License for Disseminating Audio-Video Programs through Information Network as an enterprise providing online education and test preparation courses. As an online education services provider, we transmit our audio-video educational courses and programs through the Internet only to enrolled course participants, not to the general public. The limited scope of our audience distinguishes us from general online audio-video broadcasting companies, such as companies operating user-generated content websites. In addition, we do not provide audio-video program uploading and transmission services. As a result, we believe that we are not one of those providers of audio-video program services covered under the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures. In the event that we are deemed to be a provider of audio-video program services covered under the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures, we believe that pursuant to the press release it is possible that we may be allowed to continue our current operations and re-register with SARFT or MIIT in accordance with the published guidelines. We will monitor the regulatory developments relating to the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures and we will re-register with the relevant governmental authorities if required. However, if the governmental authorities decide that our provision of online education services fall within the Internet Audio-Video Program Measures and we are unable to re-register or obtain the necessary license timely, or at all, due to reasons beyond our control, our equity ownership structure may require significant restructuring, or we may become subject to significant penalties, fines, legal sanctions or an order to suspend our use of audio-video content.

Regulations on Protection of the Right of Dissemination through Information Networks

On May 18, 2006, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on Protection of the Right of Dissemination through Information Networks, which became effective on July 1, 2006. The new regulations require that every organization or individual who disseminates a third party’s work, performance, audio or visual recording products to the public through information networks shall obtain permission from, and pay compensation to, the legitimate copyright owner of such products, unless otherwise provided under relevant laws and regulations. The legitimate copyright owner may take technical measures to protect his or her right of dissemination through information networks and any organization or individual shall not intentionally avoid, destroy or otherwise assist others in avoiding such protective measures unless permissible under law. The new regulations also provide that permission from and compensation for the copyright owner are not required in the event of limited dissemination to teaching or research staff for the purpose of school teaching or scientific research only.

Regulations on Copyright and Trademark Protection

China has adopted legislation governing intellectual property rights, including copyrights and trademarks. China is a signatory to the main international conventions on intellectual property rights and became a member of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights upon its accession to the World Trade Organization in December 2001.

Copyright. The National People’s Congress amended the Copyright Law in 2001 to widen the scope of works and rights that are eligible for copyright protection. The amended Copyright Law extends copyright protection to Internet activities, products disseminated over the Internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center.

To address the problem of copyright infringement related to the content posted or transmitted over the Internet, the National Copyright Administration and MIIT jointly promulgated the Administrative Measures for Copyright Protection Related to the Internet on April 30, 2005. These measures became effective on May 30, 2005.

Trademark. The PRC Trademark Law, adopted in 1982 and revised in 2001, protects the proprietary rights to registered trademarks. The Trademark Office under the SAIC handles trademark registrations and grants a term of ten years to registered trademarks and another ten years to trademarks as requested upon expiry of the prior term. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office for record. We have registered the logo of “New Oriental” and the combination of and its logo with the Trademark Office and are in the process of registering additional marks, including the logo for “Pop Kids.” In addition, if a registered trademark is recognized as a well-known trademark in a specific case, the proprietary right of the trademark holder may be extended beyond the registered sphere of products and services of the trademark in such case. Our trademarks have been recognized as well-known trademarks in a civil action adjudicated by the Intermediate People’s Court of Jilin City, Jilin Province.

 

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On November 5, 2004, the MIIT amended the Measures for Administration of Domain Names for the Chinese Internet, or the Domain Name Measures. The Domain Name Measures regulate the registration of domain names, such as the first tier domain name “.cn.” In February 2006, China Internet Network Information Center, or CNNIC, issued the Implementing Rules for Domain Name Registration and the Measures on Domain Name Disputes Resolution, pursuant to which CNNIC can authorize a domain name dispute resolution institution to decide disputes. We have registered many domain names with CNNIC.

Regulations on Foreign Exchange

Foreign Currency Exchange

Pursuant to the Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated in 1996 and amended in 2008 and various regulations issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, and other relevant PRC government authorities, RMB is freely convertible only to the extent of current account items, such as trade-related receipts and payments, interest and dividend. Capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans and repatriation of investment, require the prior approval from SAFE or its local counterpart for conversion of RMB into a foreign currency, such as U.S. dollars, and remittance of the foreign currency outside the PRC.

Payments for transactions that take place within the PRC must be made in RMB. Unless otherwise approved, PRC companies must repatriate foreign currency payments received from abroad. Foreign-invested enterprises may retain foreign exchange in accounts with designated foreign exchange banks subject to a cap set by SAFE or its local counterpart. Unless otherwise approved, domestic enterprises must convert all of their foreign currency receipts into RMB.

SAFE promulgated a new circular in August 2008 with respect to the administration of conversion of foreign exchange capital contributions of foreign invested enterprise. This circular clarifies that RMB converted from foreign exchange capital contributions can only be used for the activities within the approved business scope of such foreign invested enterprise and cannot be used for domestic equity investment unless otherwise allowed.

Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investment by PRC Residents

Pursuant to the SAFE’s Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents to Engage in Financing and Inbound Investment via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular No. 75, issued on October 21, 2005, (i) a PRC citizen residing in the PRC, or PRC Resident, shall register with the local branch of SAFE before it establishes or controls an overseas special purpose vehicle, or SPV, for the purpose of overseas equity financing (including convertible debts financing); (ii) when a PRC Resident contributes the assets of or its equity interests in a domestic enterprise into an SPV, or engages in overseas financing after contributing assets or equity interests into an SPV, such PRC Resident shall register his or her interest in the SPV and the change thereof with the local branch of SAFE; and (iii) when the SPV undergoes a material event outside of China, such as change in share capital or merger and acquisition, the PRC resident shall, within 30 days from the occurrence of such event, register such change with the local branch of SAFE. PRC residents who are shareholders of SPVs established before November 1, 2005 were required to register with the local SAFE branch before March 31, 2006.

Under SAFE Circular No. 75, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth above may result in the penalties, including imposition of restrictions on a PRC subsidiary’s foreign exchange activities and its ability to distribute dividends to the SPV.

Our beneficial owners who are PRC residents have registered with the local branch of SAFE as required under SAFE Circular No. 75.

Dividend Distribution

The principal regulations governing dividend distributions by wholly foreign-owned enterprises and Sino-foreign equity joint ventures include:

 

   

Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended;

 

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Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1990), as amended;

 

   

Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law (1979), as amended; and

 

   

Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1983), as amended.

Under these regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises and Sino-foreign equity joint ventures in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, these foreign-invested enterprises are required to set aside certain amounts of their accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.

Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, promulgated a rule entitled “Provisions regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors,” or the new M&A rule, to more effectively regulate foreign investment in PRC domestic enterprises. The new M&A rule provides that the Ministry of Commerce must be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise and any of the following situations exists: (i) the transaction involves an important industry in China, (ii) the transaction may affect national “economic security,” or (iii) the PRC domestic enterprise has a well-known trademark or historical Chinese trade name in China. The new M&A rule also contains a provision requiring offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC individuals to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange.

The new M&A rule became effective on September 8, 2006 without retroactive effect. Based on the advice of Tian Yuan Law Firm, our PRC counsel, we do not believe that CSRC approval was required for our listing on the NYSE because trading of our ADSs commenced prior to the effective date of the new M&A rule.

Tax

On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress, the Chinese legislature, passed the EIT Law, which took effect on January 1, 2008. The EIT Law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises. There will be a transition period for the enterprises, whether foreign-invested or domestic, which currently receive preferential tax treatments granted by relevant tax authorities. Enterprises that are subject to an enterprise income tax rate lower than 25% may continue to enjoy the lower rate and gradually transfer to the new tax rate within five years after the effective date of the EIT Law. Enterprises that are currently entitled to exemptions or reductions from the standard income tax rate for a fixed term may continue to enjoy such treatment until the fixed term expires. Preferential tax treatments will continue to be granted to industries and projects that are strongly supported and encouraged by the state, and enterprises otherwise classified as “new or high technology enterprises strongly supported by the state” upon re-examination will be entitled to a 15% enterprise income tax rate. EIT Law empowers the State Council to enact appropriate implementing rules and regulations. The State Council promulgated the new implementation rules of this EIT Law in December 2007 and the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation have promulgated other supplemental rules in April 2008 and July 2008, respectively, regarding new criteria for the granting of “new or high technology enterprises” status. According to such new rules, all enterprises which have been granted such status before the effectiveness of the EIT Law are required to be re-examined according to such new rules before they can continue to be entitled to the preferential tax treatments. The EIT Law also provides that enterprises established outside of China whose “de facto management bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises” and will generally be subject to the uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on their global income. Reduction or elimination of the financial subsidies or preferential tax treatments we currently enjoy or imposition of additional taxes on us or our subsidiaries in China may have a material adverse effect on our income tax expense and net income.

 

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Furthermore, unlike the Income Tax Law for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprise currently in effect, which specifically exempts withholding tax on any dividends payable to non-PRC investors, the EIT Law provides that an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends payable to non-PRC investors which are derived from sources within China, although such income tax may be exempted or reduced by the State Counsel of the PRC or pursuant to a tax treaty between China and the jurisdictions in which our non-PRC shareholders reside. It is unclear whether any dividends payable to non-PRC investors will be deemed to be derived from sources within China and be subject to PRC income tax. If we are required under the EIT Law to withhold income tax on dividends payable to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders, the value of your investment may be materially and adversely affected.

C. Organizational Structure

Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China through our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entity, New Oriental China, and its subsidiaries, as well as our three wholly owned subsidiaries in China:

 

   

Beijing Hewstone Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Hewstone, which primarily engages in the educational software development business and sub-licenses our trademarks to New Oriental China and its subsidiaries;

 

   

Beijing Decision Education Co., Ltd., or Beijing Decision, which primarily engages in the business of providing educational technology services and educational management services; and

 

   

Beijing Judgment Education & Consulting Co., Ltd., or Beijing Judgment, a company that directly holds the real estate properties on which certain of our schools are located.

 

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The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure and the place of incorporation of each named entity as of May 31, 2008:

LOGO

PRC laws and regulations currently require any foreign entity that invests in the education business in China to be an educational institution with relevant experience in providing education outside China. Our Cayman Islands holding company is not an educational institution and does not provide educational services. Accordingly, our wholly owned subsidiaries in China, which are considered foreign-invested, are currently ineligible to apply for the required education licenses and permits in China. In addition, PRC laws and regulations prohibit foreign ownership of primary and middle schools for students in grades one to nine in China. Accordingly, we conduct our education business in China through contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries and shareholders. New Oriental China is our consolidated affiliated entity directly owned by our founders and/or their respective affiliates.

New Oriental China’s subsidiaries hold the requisite licenses and permits necessary to conduct our education business and operate our schools, learning centers, bookstores as well as online education business in China. We have been and are expected to continue to be dependent on New Oriental China and its subsidiaries to operate our education business until we qualify for direct ownership of an education business in China under PRC laws and regulations and acquire New Oriental China and its subsidiaries as our direct, wholly owned subsidiaries. We have entered into contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries and shareholders, which enable us to:

 

   

exercise effective control over New Oriental China and its subsidiaries;

 

   

receive a substantial portion of the economic benefits from New Oriental China and its subsidiaries in consideration for the services provided by our wholly owned subsidiaries in China; and

 

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have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in New Oriental China in each case when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.

D. Property, Plants and Equipment

Our headquarters are located in Beijing, China, where we own approximately 14,000 square meters of office and classroom space. In addition, we lease and own an aggregate of approximately 418,000 square meters of space for our schools, learning centers and bookstores. We lease all of our facilities except for our Yangzhou school and part of the premises for our headquarters in Beijing and our schools in Xi’an and Tianjin.

 

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” or in other parts of this annual report on Form 20-F.

A. Operating Results

General Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

We have benefited significantly from favorable demographic trends, the overall economic growth and the demand for high-quality private education and English language training in China. The overall economic growth and the increase in the GDP per capita in China have led to a significant increase in spending on education in China. At the same time, China’s integration into the global economy has accelerated, resulting in more career opportunities for Chinese citizens who are able to communicate effectively in English. We anticipate that the demand for private education and English language training in China will continue to increase as the economy in China continues to grow and as disposable income of urban households continues to rise. However, any adverse changes in the economic conditions or regulatory environment in China may have a material adverse effect on the private education industry in China, which in turn may harm our business and results of operations.

Specific Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

While our business is influenced by factors affecting the private education industry in China generally and by conditions in each of the geographic markets we serve, we believe our business is more directly affected by company-specific factors such as the number of student enrollments, the amount of course fees and our operating costs and expenses. The number of student enrollments is in turn largely driven by the demand for our courses, the effectiveness of our marketing and brand promotion efforts, the locations of our schools and learning centers, our ability to maintain the consistency and quality of our teaching, and our ability to respond to competitive pressure, as well as seasonal factors. We determine course fees primarily based on demand for our courses, the targeted market for our courses, the subject of the course, the geographic location of the school, cost of services, and the course fees charged by our competitors for the same or similar courses.

Our future results of operations will depend significantly upon our ability to increase student enrollments at existing schools and learning centers and further expand our school network throughout China, as well as offer a greater variety of courses, including smaller-size classes. Specifically, we opened six new schools in fiscal year 2008. In addition, we have offered and plan to continue offering an increasing number and a greater variety of smaller classes, such as “Pop Kids” English classes for kindergarten through sixth grade students with 10 to 25 students per class and higher-end “Elite English” classes for adults and children of high-income families with one to 10 students per class. Our planned expansion will result in substantial demands on our management, operational,

 

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technological, financial and other resources. To manage and support our growth, we must improve our existing operational, administrative and technological systems and our financial and management controls, and recruit, train and retain additional qualified teachers and school management personnel as well as other administrative and sales and marketing personnel, particularly as we grow outside of our existing markets. We have launched our new computerized enrollment system to timely track course enrollment and other relevant operating data across our school network. We will continue to implement additional systems and measures and recruit qualified personnel in order to effectively manage and support our growth. If we cannot achieve these improvements, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Due to certain restrictions and qualification requirements under PRC law that apply to foreign investment in China’s education industry, our education business is currently conducted through contractual arrangements among us, our wholly owned subsidiaries in China, and our consolidated variable interest entities in China, which consist of New Oriental China and its wholly owned subsidiaries. New Oriental China’s subsidiaries hold the licenses and permits necessary to conduct our educational services business in China and directly operate its schools, learning centers and bookstores, develop and distribute educational content, software and other technologies, and operate our online education business. We intend to own and operate schools and learning centers when PRC law permits us to do so.

Net Revenues. In the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, we generated total net revenues of US$94.5 million, US$132.6 million and US$201.0 million, respectively. Our revenues are net of PRC business taxes and related surcharges, as well as scholarships and refunds.

We currently derive revenues from the following sources:

 

   

educational programs and services, which accounted for 93.7%, 93.2% and 91.5% of our total net revenues in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively; and

 

   

books and others, which accounted for 6.3%, 6.8% and 8.5% of our total net revenues in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Educational Programs and Services. Our educational programs and services consist of language training and test preparation courses, primary and secondary school education, online education and post-secondary education. Revenues from language training courses and test preparation courses accounted for 89.2%, 88.3% and 87.6% respectively, of our total net revenues in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

We recognize revenues from course fees collected for enrollment in our language training and test preparation courses and post-secondary educational programs proportionally as we deliver the instruction over the period of the course. Course fees are generally paid in advance by students and are initially recorded as deferred revenues. Students are entitled to a one-week course trial period which commences on the date the course begins. Tuition refunds are provided to students if they decide within the one-week trial period that they no longer want to take the course. After the one-week trial period, if a student withdraws from a class, no refunds will be provided and any collected but unearned portion of the fee is recognized at that time. We recognize revenues from school fees collected for enrollment in New Oriental China’s primary and secondary school ratably over the corresponding academic year. We sell pre-paid online education cards primarily to distributors, who in turn sell them to students. We recognize revenues from sales of pre-paid cards in proportion to the actual time that students spend on our online courses. Course fees and school fees collected and amounts received from sales of pre-paid cards are recorded as deferred revenues until they can be recognized as revenues upon their use or expiration. Upon expiration of a prepaid card, which is six months to one year from the date of the sale of the card, we recognize the remaining amount of deferred revenues as revenues.

The most significant factors that directly affect our revenues from educational programs and services are the number of student enrollments and the amount of course fees. We believe our students are attracted to us primarily because of our established brand and reputation in the private education sector, especially in the areas of English language training and overseas admissions and assessment test preparation, the quality of our instruction and the variety of our programs, services and products. For the past seven years, our revenue growth has been driven primarily by increased enrollments in our English language training courses and test preparation courses and other programs and services. The number of student enrollments for our courses is affected by the demand for our

 

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courses, the effectiveness of our marketing and brand promotion, the demographic composition of the cities where we have schools and learning centers, our ability to respond to competitive pressure, as well as seasonal factors. Our courses generally have the largest student enrollments in our first fiscal quarter from June 1 to August 31 each year, primarily because many students enroll in our courses during the summer vacation to enhance their foreign language skills and/or prepare for admissions and assessment tests in subsequent school terms. In addition, we have generally experienced larger student enrollments in our third fiscal quarter from December 1 to February 28 each year, primarily because many students enroll in our language training and other courses during the winter school holidays. We expect this seasonality enrollment pattern to continue, especially for most of our language training courses for college and middle school students and test preparation courses.

Although similar courses have comparable rates, course fees vary among our numerous courses. We determine course fees primarily based on demand for our courses, the targeted market for our courses, the subject of the course, the geographic location of the school, cost of services, and the course fees charged by our competitors for the same or similar programs. Our test preparation courses are generally delivered in large class settings ranging from 50 students to 500 students per class and our English language training courses are delivered in class settings ranging from one student to 150 students per class. To further penetrate the English language training markets for children and high-income individuals, we have offered and plan to continue offering an increasing number and a greater variety of smaller classes for children and adults, such as “Pop Kids” English classes for students in kindergarten through grade six with ten to 25 students per class and higher-end personalized “Elite English” classes for high-income adults and children with one to ten students per class. We typically adjust course fees or school fees based on the market conditions of the city where the particular school is located, subject to the relevant local governmental authority’s advance approval, if required. We expect to continue to derive a substantial majority of our revenues from educational programs and services.

A significant portion of our revenues has been derived from test preparation courses. The success of our test preparation courses depends on the continued use of admissions and assessment tests by educational institutions and governmental authorities both in China and abroad. If the use of admissions and assessment tests declines or falls out of favor with educational institutions, government authorities and other entities, the markets for our test preparation courses will shrink and our business may be materially and adversely affected. For example, in early 2005, the PRC Ministry of Education started reforming the CET 4 and CET 6 exams, which, among other things, limits these exams only to college students starting from 2007. As a result, the total number of students who started our CET 4 and CET 6 exam preparation courses decreased from approximately 180,000 in calendar year 2004 to approximately 140,000 in calendar year 2005. However, the number of students who started our CET 4 and CET 6 exam preparation courses in calendar year 2006 increased slightly as compared to 2005. In 2007, the number of students who enrolled in our CET 4 and CET 6 exam preparation courses increased to approximately 190,000. We are currently not aware of any other proposed reforms by the PRC regulatory authorities concerning admissions and assessment tests that would materially and adversely affect our domestic test preparation business.

Books and Others. We distribute and sell books and other educational materials developed or licensed by us through our own distribution channels, which consist of our bookstores and websites, and also through third-party distributors. We normally provide books and other educational materials that are required for our courses and do not separately charge students for these items. We recognize revenues from sales of books and other educational materials when the products are sold to end customers. As we believe successful content development is important to the success of our business in China, we intend to continuously enhance the quality and breadth of our education content offerings and distribute more books and other educational materials through our own bookstores, as well as third-party distributors, including over 5,000 bookstores. Accordingly, we expect revenues from sales of books and other educational materials to continue to increase in the future.

We also provide consulting services to students regarding overseas studies and related processes, such as visa applications. We charge each student a fee based on the scope of consulting services requested by the student and recognize revenues when our consulting services are delivered. We expect that revenues from these consulting services will continue to constitute a small portion of our total revenues in the future.

Operating Costs and Expenses. Our operating costs and expenses consist of cost of revenues, selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses. The following table sets forth the components of our operating costs and expenses, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated.

 

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     For the Year Ended May 31,  

(in thousands except percentages)

   2006     2007     2008  
     US$     %     US$     %     US$     %  

Net revenues

   94,522     100     132,603     100     201,003     100  

Operating costs and expenses:

            

Cost of revenues

   (39,378 )   (41.7 )   (53,744 )   (40.5 )   (77,219 )   (38.4 )

Selling and marketing

   (10,077 )   (10.7 )   (16,549 )   (12.5 )   (25,617 )   (12.7 )

General and administrative

   (37,569 )   (39.7 )   (36,218 )   (27.3 )   (52,832 )   (26.3 )
                                    

Total operating costs and expenses

   (87,024 )   (92.1 )   (106,511 )   (80.3 )   (155,668 )   (77.4 )

We rely on our teachers to deliver educational services. Our teachers consist of both full-time teachers and contract teachers. Full-time teachers deliver instruction and may also be involved in management, administration and other functions at our schools and other subsidiaries and affiliated entities. Their compensation and benefits primarily consist of teaching fees based on hourly rates, performance-linked bonuses based on student evaluations, as well as base salary, annual bonus and standard employee benefits in connection with their services other than teaching. Compensation of our contract teachers is comprised primarily of teaching fees based on hourly rates and performance-linked bonuses based on student evaluations and other factors. To attract and retain high-quality teachers, we have granted equity incentives, including restricted shares and share options, to some of our teachers. We account for teaching fees and performance-linked bonuses paid to our teachers as cost of revenues as they are directly associated with the provision of educational services, and account for the other compensation and benefits to our teachers as general and administrative expenses.

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues for educational programs and services primarily consists of teaching fees and performance-linked bonuses paid to our teachers and rental payments for our schools and learning centers and, to a lesser degree, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment used in the provision of educational services, as well as costs of course materials. Cost of books and others primarily consist of printing costs of books and other materials, and licenses fees, royalties and other fees paid to content licensors, publishing companies and third-party distributors. We anticipate that our total cost of revenues will continue to increase as we continue to open new schools and learning centers and hire additional teachers.

Selling and Marketing Expenses. Our selling and marketing expenses primarily consist of expenses relating to advertising, seminars, marketing and promotional trips and other community activities for brand promotion purpose. We expect that our selling and marketing expenses will continue to increase as we further expand into new geographic locations and enhance our brand recognition.

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of compensation and benefits of administrative staff, compensation and benefits of full-time teachers excluding teaching fees and performance-linked bonuses and, to a lesser extent, costs to develop curriculum, costs of third-party professional services, rental and utilities payments relating to office and administrative functions, and depreciation and amortization of property and equipment used in our general and administrative activities. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the near term as we hire additional personnel and incur additional costs in connection with the expansion of our business and with being a publicly traded company, including costs of enhancing our internal controls.

Share-based Compensation Expenses. The following table sets forth the allocation of our share-based compensation expenses, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of total share-based compensation expenses, among our employees based on the nature of work which they were assigned to perform.

 

     For the Year Ended May 31,

(in thousands except percentages)

   2006      2007      2008
     US$      %      US$      %      US$      %

Allocation of Share-based Compensation Expenses:

                           

Cost of revenues

   48      0.6      277      6.0      707      8.1

Selling and marketing

   173      2.2      109      2.3      226      2.6

General and administrative

   7,688      97.2      4,261      91.7      7,809      89.3

 

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In the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, we issued 4,572,500, nil and nil restricted shares, respectively, to our employees, directors and consultants for services rendered by them. These shares vested immediately on the date of grant. In addition, we adopted the 2006 Share Incentive Plan in January 2006, under which we are authorized to, starting from 2006, issue share options to purchase up to 8,000,000 common shares to our employees, directors and consultants in 2006, as well as additional options in future periods. We have granted options to purchase a total of 12,766,000 common shares to our employees and directors of which options to purchase 1,210,907 common shares have been forfeited. We also granted 2,872,000 non-vested equity shares in 2008 of which 762,044 common shares have been forfeited. In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued statement of accounting standards, or SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment,” effective January 1, 2006. Accordingly, we have adopted the provisions of SFAS 123(R) for the share options granted in 2006. SFAS 123(R) requires share-based compensation expense to be determined based on the fair value of our common shares as of their grant date.

For restricted shares granted to our employees, we record share-based compensation expense for the excess of the fair value of the restricted shares at the date of the grant over the purchase price that a grantee must pay to acquire the shares during the period in which the shares may be purchased. For options granted to our employees and directors, we record share-based compensation expenses based on the fair value of our common shares underlying options as of the date of option grant and amortize the expenses over the vesting periods of the options.

Taxation

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current law of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to income or capital gains tax. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands.

Other than our primary and secondary schools, our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China are subject to a 3% to 5% business tax on gross revenues generated from providing services and related surcharges, and a value-added tax at varying rates ranging from 4% to 17% on gross revenues from sales of books, educational software and other products. With regard to income tax, according to the Implementation Rules for The Law for Promoting Private Education (2004), private schools that do not require reasonable returns are entitled to the same preferential tax treatment as public schools, while preferential tax treatment policies applicable to private schools requiring reasonable returns shall be separately formulated by the relevant authorities under the State Council. To date, however, no separate regulations or policies have been promulgated by the relevant authorities in this regard. As a result, preferential tax treatments for our schools vary among different cities. In some cities, our schools are subject to a standard enterprise income tax rate of 33% through 2007 and 25% from 2008 onwards, while in other cities, our schools are subject to a 1.5% to 3.5% tax on gross receipts in lieu of the standard enterprise income tax or are exempted from the enterprise income tax. Among our schools in the four major cities from which we derived a majority of our revenues in each of the past four years ended December 31, 2007, our school in Wuhan is subject to the 33% standard enterprise income tax (which was reduced to 25% from January 1, 2008 onwards). New Oriental China’s subsidiaries other than schools are either subject to the standard enterprise income tax rate, which was 33% through 2007 and 25% from 2008, or subject to various preferential income tax rates approved by local taxation authorities.

New Oriental China and our three wholly owned subsidiaries in China are certified “new or high-technology enterprises” located in a high-tech zone in Beijing as their primary sources of revenues are educational software development and educational technology development and implementation. However, the new implementation rules of the EIT Law promulgated by the State Council in December 2007 and other supplemental rules promulgated by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation in April 2008 and July 2008, respectively, have provided new criteria for such “new or high technology enterprises” and all enterprises which have been granted such status before the effectiveness of the EIT Law are required to be re-examined according to such new rules before they can continue to be entitled to such preferential tax treatments. As a result, New Oriental China was exempted from enterprise income tax from 2002 to 2004, is subject to a 7.5% enterprise income tax in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and will be subject to a preferential enterprise income tax after 2007 as long as it continues to qualify as a “new or high-technology enterprise” upon re-examination according to the EIT Law and its relevant new rules. Each of our three

 

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wholly owned subsidiaries in China was established in 2005 and thus is exempted from enterprise income tax from 2005 to 2007, and will be subject to a 7.5% enterprise income tax from 2008 to 2010 and a preferential enterprise income tax thereafter as long as it continues to qualify as a “new or high-technology enterprise” upon re-examination according to the EIT Law and its relevant rules. However, we cannot ensure that our wholly owned subsidiaries in China or New Oriental China will be granted the “new or high-technology enterprise” status according to the EIT Law and its relevant rules.

Preferential tax treatments granted to our schools by local governmental authorities are subject to review and may be adjusted or revoked at any time. In addition, if the government regulations or authorities were to phase out preferential tax benefits currently granted to “new or high-technology enterprises,” New Oriental China and our wholly owned subsidiaries in China were subject to the standard statutory tax rate, which was 33% through 2007 and would be subject to the 25% uniform statutory tax rate from 2008 onwards. The discontinuation of any preferential tax treatments currently available to our schools, especially those schools in major cities, and to New Oriental China and our wholly owned subsidiaries, will cause our effective tax rate to increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Disposition of Liandong Weiye

We established Beijing Liandong Weiye Technology Development Co., Ltd, or Liandong Weiye, a company engaged in the wireless application protocol, or WAP, business, in 2000. We and Yongqiang Qian, a former director of our company, owned 96.2% and 3.8% in Liandong Weiye, respectively, prior to March 2005. As a result of our annual strategic planning and business planning process in November and December 2004, we decided to focus on our core business of providing educational services and to divest businesses unrelated to educational services. As a result, we decided to either dispose of our WAP business or cease our WAP-related operations in an expedited manner. In March 2005, we sold a 56.2% interest in Liandong Weiye to Mr. Qian for a cash consideration of US$0.6 million (RMB5.1 million), which represented the book value of the net assets sold. This price was determined based on our extensive negotiations with Mr. Qian and approved by all of our non-interested directors. Accordingly, no gain or loss was recorded as a result of this transaction. In August 2005, we disposed of the remaining interest in Liandong Weiye by spinning off this interest to a newly created entity that was owned by the same shareholders of our company for nil consideration. This transaction was recorded as a sale of assets between entities under common control. Accordingly, we recorded a dividend in kind of US$3.1 million (RMB25.5 million), which represented the fair value of our equity interest in Liandong Weiye as of the spin-off date.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. The operating results in any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

 

     For the Year Ended May 31,  

(in thousands US$)

   2006     2007     2008  

Net revenues:

      

Educational programs and services

   88,538     123,543     183,917  

Books and others

   5,984     9,060     17,086  
                  

Total net revenues

   94,522     132,603     201,003  

Operating costs and expenses(1):

      

Cost of revenues

   (39,378 )   (53,744 )   (77,219 )

Selling and marketing

   (10,077 )   (16,549 )   (25,617 )

General and administrative

   (37,569 )   (36,218 )   (52,832 )
                  

Total operating costs and expenses

   (87,024 )   (106,511 )   (155,668 )
                  

Operating income

   7,498     26,092     45,335  
                  

Other income (expense), net

   (904 )   4,209     7,149  
                  

Provision for income tax

   (1,709 )   (1,830 )   (3,644 )
                  

Income from continuing operations

   4,884     28,599     49,013  
                  

Income from discontinued operations

   1,177     —       —    
                  

Net income

   6,061     28,599     49,013  
                  

 

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(1) Share-based compensation expenses are included in our operating costs and expenses as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended May 31,

(in thousands US$)

   2006    2007    2008

Cost of revenues

   48    277    707

Selling and marketing

   173    109    226

General and administrative

   7,688    4,261    7,809

Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007

Net Revenues. Our total net revenues increased by 51.6% from US$132.6 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$201.0 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase was due to the increased revenues from both educational programs and services as well as from books and others.

 

   

Educational Programs and Services. Net revenues from our educational programs and services increased by 48.9% from US$123.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$183.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to the growth in revenues from language training and test preparation courses from US$117.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$176.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, and, to a lesser extent, the increase in average revenues per student in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 as more students took smaller-size classes with higher course fees. The increase in revenues from language training courses was mainly attributable to the increase in the number of students who completed our courses from approximately 566,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to approximately 711,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, and in particular, the increased number of students who completed our language training courses for children and middle school and high school students. The increase in revenues from test preparation courses was mainly attributable to an increase in the number of students who completed our test preparation courses from approximately 440,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to approximately 517,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.

 

   

Books and Others. Net revenues from sales of books and other educational materials and services increased by 88.6% from US$9.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$17.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to the increased volume of books that we sold in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, as we offered new titles and further expanded our content distribution channel.

Operating Costs and Expenses. Our total operating costs and expenses increased by 46.2% from US$106.5 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$155.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase resulted from increases in all of our operating cost and expense line items.

 

   

Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by 43.7% from US$53.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$77.2 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to an increase in teaching fees and performance-linked bonuses paid to our teachers as we hired over 900 new teachers during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, and an increase in our rental payments as we had leased facilities for 41 schools and 207 learning centers as of May 31, 2008, as compared to 35 schools and 130 learning centers as of May 31, 2007.

 

   

Selling and Marketing Expenses. Our selling and marketing expenses increased by 54.8% from US$16.5 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$25.6 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to the addition of approximately 330 new sales and marketing employees and increased marketing and promotional expenses in connection with opening new schools and learning centers during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.

 

   

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by 45.9% from US$36.2 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$52.8 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to the US$7.8 million share-based compensation charge that we incurred in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 compared to US$4.3 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, as well as the addition of 312 new employees in our management departments.

 

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Other Income, Net. Our other income increased by 69.9% from US$4.2 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$7.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to interest from our increased bank deposit balance of working capital and the increased interest income derived from the proceeds of our public offerings.

Provision for income tax. Our income tax expense increased by 99.1% from US$1.8 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$3.6 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to increased taxable income and increased income tax rate for New Oriental China, Beijing Hewstone and Beijing Decision due to the expiry of the preferential tax rate for “new or high-technology enterprise” on December 31, 2007.

Net Income. As a result of the foregoing, our net income increased to US$49.0 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 from US$28.6 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.

Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2006

Net Revenues. Our total net revenues increased by 40.3% from US$94.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$132.6 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. This increase was due to the increased revenues from both educational programs and services as well as from books and others.

 

   

Educational Programs and Services. Net revenues from our educational programs and services increased by 39.5% from US$88.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$123.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to the growth in revenues from language training and test preparation courses US$84.4 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$117.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, and, to a lesser extent, the increase in average revenues per student in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 as more students took smaller-size classes with higher course fees. The increase in revenues from language training courses was mainly attributable to the increase in the number of students who completed our courses from approximately 487,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to approximately 569,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, and in particular, the increased number of students who completed our language training courses for children and middle school and high school students. The increase in revenues from test preparation courses was mainly attributable to an increase in the number of students who completed our test preparation courses from approximately 372,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to approximately 441,000 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.

 

   

Books and Others. Net revenues from sales of books and other educational materials and services increased by 51.4% from US$6.0 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$9.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, primarily due to the increased volume of books that we sold in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, as we offered new titles and further expanded our content distribution channel.

Operating Costs and Expenses. Our total operating costs and expenses increased by 22.4% from US$87.0 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$106.5 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. This increase resulted from increases in all of our operating cost and expense line items.

 

   

Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by 36.5% from US$39.4 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$53.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to an increase in teaching fees and performance-linked bonuses paid to our teachers as we hired approximately 630 new teachers during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, and an increase in our rental payments as we had leased facilities for 35 schools and 130 learning centers as of May 31, 2007, as compared to 25 schools and 111 learning centers as of May 31, 2006.

 

   

Selling and Marketing Expenses. Our selling and marketing expenses increased by 64.2% from US$10.1 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$16.5 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. This increase was due to a refinement of our accounting process which we implemented in 2006 to allocate some of our personnel and other expenses,

 

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which had been previously included in our general and administrative expenses, to our selling and marketing expenses. This increase was also due to the increased marketing and promotional expenses in connection with opening new schools and learning centers during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.

 

   

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses decreased by 3.6% from US$37.6 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$36.2 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the US$7.7 million stock-based compensation charge we incurred in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 compared to US$4.3 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. This decrease is primarily attributable to the over two million restricted shares that we issued to our employees, directors and consultants in our fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. The implementation of the refined accounting process described above also contributed to this decrease.

Other Income (Expense), Net. We had other expense US$0.9 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 which was primarily interest expense as compared with other income of US$4.2 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 primarily because we had interest income of US$4.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 mainly from the proceeds of our initial public offering and follow-on public offering.

Provision for income tax. Our income tax expense increased by 7.1% from US$1.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$1.8 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to increased taxable income, partially offset by the reduced effective tax rate as more taxable income was generated in our wholly owned PRC subsidiaries that were still exempted from income tax.

Discontinued Operations. Income from discontinued operations decreased from US$1.2 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to nil for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, because we disposed of our remaining interests in Liandong Weiye in August 2005, and there were no other discontinued operations during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.

Net Income. As a result of the foregoing, our net income increased to US$28.6 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 from US$6.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006.

Discussion of Segment Operations

In our management’s view, we operate through six operating segments that offer distinct educational services, consisting of language training and test preparation courses, primary and secondary school education, content development and distribution, online education, overseas studies consulting and post-secondary education. We have two reportable segments, namely, language training and test preparation courses and primary and secondary school education. We aggregate content development and distribution, online education, overseas studies consulting and post-secondary education as others as each of these operating segments does not exceed 10% of our total net revenues, net income or total assets.

Net revenues from our language training and test preparation courses accounted for 89.2%, 88.3% and 87.6%, respectively, of our total net revenues in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Net revenues from our primary and secondary school education accounted for 4.1%, 3.7% and 3.2%, respectively, of our total net revenues in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. We recognize revenues from course fees collected for enrollment in our language training and test preparation courses proportionally as we deliver the instruction over the period of the course. We recognize revenues from school fees collected for enrollment in New Oriental China’s primary and secondary school ratably over the corresponding academic year.

Cost of revenues for our language training and test preparation courses primarily consists of teaching fees and performance-linked bonuses paid to our teachers, rental payments for our schools and learning centers and, to a lesser degree, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment used in the provision of educational services. Cost of revenues for our primary and secondary school primarily consists of compensation and benefits to school teachers and depreciation and amortization of property and equipment used in the provision of educational services.

 

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Selling and marketing expenses for each of our reportable segments primarily consist of marketing and promotion expenses and other costs related to our selling and marketing activities for the corresponding reportable segment.

General and administrative expenses for our language training and test preparation courses primarily consist of compensation and benefits of administrative staff of our language training and test preparation courses segment, compensation and benefits of full-time teachers excluding teaching fees and performance-linked bonuses, rental and utilities payments relating to office and administrative functions of our language training and test preparation courses segment, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment used in the general and administrative activities of our language training and test preparation courses segment, and to a lesser extent, costs to develop our curriculum. General and administrative expenses for our primary and secondary school education segment primarily consist of compensation and benefits of administrative staff of our primary and secondary school, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment used in the general and administrative activities of our primary and secondary school, and to a lesser extent, costs to develop our curriculum.

The following table lists our net revenues and operating costs and expenses by reportable segment for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended May 31,  

(in thousands US$)

   2006     2007     2008  

Net revenues of reportable segments:

      

Language training and test preparation courses

   84,359     117,140     176,065  

Primary and secondary education

   3,843     4,869     6,369  
                  

Total net revenues of reportable segments

   88,202     122,009     182,434  
                  

Total net revenues of our company

   94,522     132,603     201,003  
                  

Operating costs and expenses of reportable segments:

      

Cost of revenues:

      

Language training and test preparation courses

   (32,162 )   (43,545 )   (65,753 )

Primary and secondary education

   (2,542 )   (4,728 )   (4,777 )
                  

Selling and marketing:

      

Language training and test preparation courses

   (7,319 )   (10,915 )   (18,209 )

Primary and secondary education

   (44 )   (124 )   (230 )
                  

General and administrative:

      

Language training and test preparation courses

   (17,686 )   (18,710 )   (27,686 )

Primary and secondary education

   (2,466 )   (1,496 )   (1,908 )
                  

Total operating costs and expenses of reportable segments

   (62,219 )   (79,518 )   (118,563 )
                  

Total operating costs and expenses of our company

   (87,024 )   (106,511 )   (155,668 )
                  

Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007

Net Revenues of Reportable Segments

 

   

Language Training and Test Preparation Courses. Net revenues from our language training and test preparation courses increased by 50.3% from US$117.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$176.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to the factors discussed in “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007—Net Revenues—Educational Programs and Services.”

 

   

Primary and Secondary School Education. Net revenues from our primary and secondary school education increased by 30.8% from US$4.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$6.4 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to an increase in the number of students as we offered additional grades and classes.

 

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Operating Costs and Expenses of Reportable Segments

Cost of Revenues

 

   

Language Training and Test Preparation Courses. Cost of revenues for our language training and test preparation courses increased by 51.0% from US$43.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$65.8 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to the factors discussed in “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007—Operating Costs and Expenses—Cost of Revenues.”

 

   

Primary and Secondary School Education. Cost of revenues for our primary and secondary school education increased by 1.0% from US$4.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$4.8 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

   

Language Training and Test Preparation Courses. Selling and marketing expenses for our language training and test preparation courses increased by 66.8% from US$10.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$18.2 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to the factors discussed in “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007—Operating Costs and Expenses—Selling and Marketing Expenses.”

 

   

Primary and Secondary School Education. Selling and marketing expenses for our primary and secondary school education increased by 85.5% from US$0.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$0.2 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to the increased marketing expenses in connection with the new grade years offered by the primary and secondary school during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.

General and Administrative Expenses

 

   

Language Training and Test Preparation Courses. General and administrative expenses for our language training and test preparation courses increased by 48.0% from US$18.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$27.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to the factors discussed in “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007—Operating Costs and Expenses—General and Administrative Expenses.”

 

   

Primary and Secondary School Education. General and administrative expenses for our primary and secondary school education increased by 27.5% from US$1.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to US$1.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. This increase is primarily due to the addition of new employees for the management of schools.

Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2006

Net Revenues of Reportable Segments

 

   

Language Training and Test Preparation Courses. Net revenues from our language training and test preparation courses increased by 38.9% from US$84.4 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$117.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, primarily due to the factors discussed in “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2006—Net Revenues—Educational Programs and Services.”

 

   

Primary and Secondary School Education. Net revenues from our primary and secondary school education increased by 26.7% from US$3.8 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$4.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, primarily due to an increase in the number of students as we offered additional grade years and classes.

 

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Operating Costs and Expenses of Reportable Segments

Cost of Revenues

 

   

Language Training and Test Preparation Courses. Cost of revenues for our language training and test preparation courses increased by 35.4% from US$32.2 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$43.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, primarily due to the factors discussed in “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2006—Operating Costs and Expenses—Cost of Revenues” except for the completion of construction of our primary and secondary school.

 

   

Primary and Secondary School Education. Cost of revenues for our primary and secondary school education increased by 86.0% from US$2.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$4.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 due to our expanded operational scale as well as the increase in depreciation of our school facilities.

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

   

Language Training and Test Preparation Courses. Selling and marketing expenses for our language training and test preparation courses increased by 49.1% from US$7.3 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$10.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, primarily due to the factors discussed in “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2006—Operating Costs and Expenses—Selling and Marketing Expenses.”

 

   

Primary and Secondary School Education. Selling and marketing expenses for our primary and secondary school education increased by 181.8% from US$44,000 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$0.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, primarily due to the increased marketing expenses in connection with the new grade years offered by the primary and secondary school during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.

General and Administrative Expenses

 

   

Language Training and Test Preparation Courses. General and administrative expenses for our language training and test preparation courses increased by 5.8% from US$17.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$18.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, primarily due to the factors discussed in “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2006—Operating Costs and Expenses—General and Administrative Expenses.”

 

   

Primary and Secondary School Education. General and administrative expenses for our primary and secondary school education decreased by 39.3% from US$2.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 to US$1.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. This decrease is primarily due to the fact that the depreciation expense of our school facilities was re-defined as operating costs rather than general and administrative expenses.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities and the disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each fiscal period and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each fiscal period. We continually evaluate these judgments and estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable,

 

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which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.

The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered when reviewing our financial statements. We believe the following accounting policy involves the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Share-based Compensation

Prior to January 2006, we did not issue any share options to our employees, directors and consultants. In January 2006, we adopted the 2006 Share Incentive Plan under which we have granted a total of 12,766,000 share options and 2,872,000 non-vested equity shares. Accordingly, we recorded share-based compensation based on the SFAS 123(R) grant date fair value requirements.

We estimated the fair value of share options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing formula and a single option award approach. The fair value was then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods. This option-pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected life, estimated forfeitures and the price volatility of the underlying stock. Changes in the subjective input assumptions may materially affect the fair value estimate. In management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the share options.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review the long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, we measure impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss, equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair market value of the asset, is recognized.

Income Taxes

Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized when temporary differences exist between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Net operating loss carry forwards and credits are applied using enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more than likely that a portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provisions for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income as determined by the jurisdiction in which we operate and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to establish an additional valuation allowance which could materially impact our financial position and results of operations.

On June 1, 2007, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,”or FIN 48. We did not have any unrecognized tax benefits during the periods presented in this annual report and accordingly, there has not been any adjustment to our retained earnings as a result of our implementation of FIN 48. We do not expect that any adjustment to our retained earnings as a result of changes in unrecognized tax benefits will be material. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. No interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions. Our tax years from 2001 to 2007 are subject to examination by the tax authorities.

 

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B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash generated from operating activities and financing activities, which consisted of our private placement of preferred shares to investors, bank borrowings, our initial public offering and our additional public offering. As of May 31, 2008, we had US$208.4 million in cash and cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and liquid investments that are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use, have maturities of three months or less and are placed with banks and other financial institutions. Although we consolidate the results of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, we do not have direct access to the cash and cash equivalents or future earnings of New Oriental China. However, a portion of the cash balances of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries are paid to us pursuant to our contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries for our technical and teaching support, enrollment system development and other services.

We expect to require cash to fund our ongoing business needs, particularly the rent and other costs and expenses relating to opening new schools and learning centers. We opened six new schools in fiscal year 2008, and plan to open additional new schools in 2009 depending on local market conditions of the new markets we plan to enter. We expect to incur capital expenditures ranging from approximately RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) to RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million) per new school depending primarily on the size and geographic location of the school. Other cash needs include the installation of a new enrollment system to timely track course enrollments and other relevant operating data across our school network. We have not encountered any difficulties in meeting our cash obligations to date. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, anticipated cash flow from operations, as well as the net proceeds we received from our public offerings will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the foreseeable future.

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Year Ended May 31,  

(in thousands US$)

   2006     2007     2008  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   24,813     57,747     76,708  

Net cash used in investing activities

   (14,429 )   (10,699 )   (59,775 )

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   (19,691 )   122,294     (19,261 )

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

   1,144     2,410     6,372  

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

   (8,163 )   171,752     4,044  
                  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   40,807     32,644     204,396  
                  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

   32,644     204,396     208,440  
                  

We have financed our operating activities and our growth primarily through cash generated from operations. We currently anticipate that we will be able to meet our needs to fund operations beyond the next twelve months with operating cash flow, existing cash balances and the net proceeds from our initial public offering and our additional public offering.

Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to US$76.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 as compared to US$57.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 and US$24.8 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) net income of US$49.0 million, (ii) an add-back of non-cash items, such as US$7.7 million in depreciation and amortization and US$8.7 million in share-based compensation expense, (iii) an increase in deferred revenues in the amount of US$10.9 million due to the increased amount of course fees received during the period, and (iv) an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, such as payroll payable and withhold individual tax, in the amount of US$7.5 million. Net cash provided by operating activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) net income of US$28.6 million, (ii) an add-back of non-cash items, such as US$6.8 million in depreciation and amortization and US$4.6 million in share-based compensation expense and (iii) an increase in deferred revenues in the amount of US$11.0 million due to the increased amount of course fees received during the period, and (iv) an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the amount of US$8.6 million, such as payroll payable. Net cash provided by operating activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 was primarily attributable to the following factors

 

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(i) net income of US$6.1 million, (ii) an add-back of non-cash items, such as US$5.1 million in depreciation, and (iii) an increase in deferred revenues in the amount of US$6.7 million due to the increased amount of course fees received during the period.

Investing Activities

We lease all of our facilities except for part of the premises for the Beijing, Xi’an, Tianjin and Yangzhou schools, which we own. Our cash used in investing activities is primarily related to our purchase of land use rights and the premises for the Beijing, Xi’an, Tianjin and Yangzhou schools and equipment used in our operations and our investment in term deposits.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to US$59.8 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 as compared to US$10.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 and US$14.4 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. Net cash used in investing activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 was primarily attributable to the following factors: the term deposit in the amount of US$46.9 million and the purchase of property and equipment in the amount of US$11.4 million in connection with the expansion of our school network. Net cash used in investing activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 was primarily attributable to the following factors: term deposit in the amount of US$2.9 million and the purchase of plant and equipment in the amount of US$7.9 million in connection with the expansion of our school network. Net cash used in investing activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 primarily related to our purchase of property, plant and equipment in the amount of US$11.6 million in connection with the expansion of our school network.

Financing Activities

Our financing activities consist of our public offerings and historical issuance and sale of Series A convertible preferred shares to investors, and bank borrowings. Net cash used in financing activities amounted to US$19.3 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of US$123.3 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 and net cash used in financing activities of US$19.7 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. Net cash used in financing activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 was primarily attributable to the repurchase of 451,700 of our ADSs, representing 1,806,800 of our common shares. Net cash provided by financing activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 was primarily attributable to our proceeds from our initial public offering in the amount of US$119.0 million. Net cash used in financing activities in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 was primarily attributable to our repayment of short-term and long-term debt in the amount of US$17.9 million, our payment of dividend in the amount of US$7.9 million to our shareholders, partially offset by the US$4.9 million proceeds from short-term borrowings and US$1.2 million in proceeds from the issuance of restricted shares to our employees.

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures are incurred primarily in connection with facility acquisitions, leasehold improvements and investments in equipment, technology and operating systems. Our capital expenditures were US$11.6 million, US$7.9 million and US$11.4 million in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Our operating results in the year ended May 31, 2005 and 2006 have been affected by capital expenditures relating to our acquisition of land use rights and the premises to build our new headquarter in Beijing and new schools and learning centers in Beijing, Xi’an, Tianjin and Yangzhou. The rapid expansion of our network of schools, learning centers and bookstores has also required significant investment. We incurred capital expenditures in the amount of US$11.4 million in the fiscal year ending May 31, 2008 in connection with our investments in facilities, equipment, technology and operating systems to meet the expected growth of our operations. We intend to cost-efficiently allocate our capital resources by leasing most of our new facilities in the foreseeable future. We may also make acquisitions of businesses and properties that complement our operations when suitable opportunities arise. We believe that we will be able to fund our capital needs in the foreseeable future through cash generated from our operating activities.

 

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C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.

Technology

Our technology platform is designed to provide systems that help distinguish us in the marketplace, operate cost-effectively and accommodate future growth. We currently use a combination of commercially available and custom developed software and hardware systems. Our technology platform is a combination of e-learning platforms, alumni platforms, content management systems, exam platforms, e-business promotion platforms and bookstore platforms, live Internet classrooms, as well as licensed speech recognition platforms. Our investment in system infrastructure has several key benefits: simplification of the storage and processing of large amounts of data, facilitation of the deployment and operation of large-scale programs and services and automation of much of the administration of our business. It also provides us with the ability to scale both capacity and functionality and build large clusters seamlessly.

One of our ongoing primary objectives is to maintain reliable systems. We have implemented performance monitoring for all key web and business systems to enable us to respond quickly to potential problems. Based on cluster technology, our system can identify errors and isolate failed servers automatically so that our clients can access our services at any time. Our web sites are hosted at third party facilities in Beijing. This facility provides redundant utility systems, a backup electric generator and 24-hour a day server support. All servers have redundant power supplies and file systems to maximize system and data availability. We regularly back up our database on a server hosted at an Internet data center to minimize the impact of data loss due to system failures.

Intellectual Property

Our trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights distinguish our services and products from those of our competitors, and contribute to our competitive advantage in our target markets. To protect our brand and other intellectual property, we rely on a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret laws as well as confidentiality agreements with our employees, contractors and others. LOGO and “New Oriental” are registered trademarks in China and have been recognized as the “well-known” trademarks LOGO in a civil action adjudicated in China. We have also registered additional trademarks and logos, including “Pop Kids” and “Elite English” with the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce in China. Our main websites are located at www.neworiental.org, english.neworiental.org, www.tol24.com, and www.koolearn.com. In addition, we have registered other domain names, including www.dogwood.com.cn, www.xdf.cn, www.neworiental-k12.org and www.gznos.org.

In order to develop, improve, market and deliver new programs and services, we are required to obtain licenses from others from time to time. For example, we currently have arrangements with international education content providers and publishers such as Pearson Education, The McGraw-Hill Companies and Cambridge University Press or their respective authorized local publishers, to develop and distribute localized versions of specified books in China. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to obtain licenses on commercially reasonable terms or at all or that rights granted under any licenses will be valid and enforceable.

We cannot be sure that our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate or that third parties will not infringe or misappropriate these rights. In addition, there can be no assurance that competitors will not independently develop similar intellectual property. If others are able to copy and use our programs and services, we may not be able to maintain our competitive position. Furthermore, the application of laws governing intellectual property rights in China and abroad is uncertain and evolving and could involve substantial risks to us. If litigation is necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or determine the scope of the proprietary rights of others, we may have to incur substantial costs or divert other resources, which could harm our business.

In addition, competitors, content providers, publishers and others may claim that we have infringed their intellectual property rights. Defending any such lawsuit, whether with or without merit, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation or prevent us from offering our programs and services, which could harm our business. If a lawsuit against us is successful, we may lose the rights to use our products or be required to modify them, or we may have to pay financial damages.

 

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We have adopted guidelines, procedures and safeguards designed to educate our employees and contractors regarding the importance of respecting the intellectual property rights of third parties, and detect and prevent any conduct or activities by our employees or contractors that infringe or have the potential to infringe upon such third-party rights. The guidelines specify certain key principles and policies that we require all of our employees and contractors to uphold as a fundamental condition of their employment. The procedures and safeguards we have implemented to ensure compliance with these principles and policies include the assignment of dedicated staff to monitor and enforce compliance with these intellectual property guidelines, including in particular our content control group, which reviews the content of our course materials to ensure that no infringing materials are used in our classrooms. We have also made efforts to ensure that our marketing materials are reviewed and approved by appropriate management before being distributed to the public. We believe these guidelines, procedures and safeguards will further improve our ability to avoid infringing or potentially infringing activities, minimize our exposure to third party claims and protect our reputation as a company that respects the intellectual property rights of third parties.

D. Trend Information

Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the period from June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2008 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.

E. Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than operating lease obligations set forth in the table below in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations”, we have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of May 31, 2008:

 

     Payment due by May 31,

(in thousands US$)

   Total    2009    2010    2011    2012    2013    Thereafter

Operating Lease Obligations

   91,943    21,920    19,474    17,251    1,2647    9,341    11,310

Purchase and leasehold improvements Obligations

   964    964    —      —      —      —      —  

G. Safe Harbor

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “is expected to,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include:

 

   

our anticipated growth strategies;

 

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our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;

 

   

expected changes in our revenues and certain cost and expense items;

 

   

our ability to increase student enrollments and course fees and expand program, service and product offerings;

 

   

competition in the language training, test preparation, primary and secondary education, educational content, software and other technology development and online education markets;

 

   

risks associated with our offering of new educational programs, services and products and the expansion of our geographic reach;

 

   

the expected increase in expenditures on education in China; and

 

   

PRC laws, regulations and policies relating to private education and providers of private educational services.

You should read thoroughly this annual report and the documents that we refer to herein with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and/or worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Other sections of this annual report include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

This annual report also contains third-party data relating to the education market in China that includes projections based on a number of assumptions. The education market may not grow at the rates projected by market data, or at all. The failure of this market to grow at the projected rates may have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our ADSs. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data turns out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A. Directors and Senior Management

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date of this annual report.

 

Name

  

Age

    

Position/Title

Michael Minhong Yu

   46      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Louis T. Hsieh

   44      Director and Chief Financial Officer

Chenggang Zhou

   46      Executive Vice President

Xiangdong Chen

   37      Senior Vice President

Robin Yanhong Li

   39      Independent Director

Denny Lee

   40      Independent Director

John Zhuang Yang

   54      Independent Director

 

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Mr. Michael Minhong Yu is the founder of our company and has served as the chairman of our board and our chief executive officer since 2001. He also serves as vice chairman of the Beijing Young Entrepreneurs Association and vice chairman of the Committee of Education of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League. Prior to founding our first school in 1993, Mr. Yu was an English instructor at Peking University from 1985 and 1991. Mr. Yu received his bachelor’s degree in English from Peking University.

Mr. Louis T. Hsieh has served as our chief financial officer since December 2005, and director since March 2007. Previously, Mr. Hsieh was the chief financial officer of ARIO Data Networks, Inc. in San Jose, California from April 2004 to December 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Hsieh was a managing director for the private equity firm of Darby Asia Investors (HK) Limited from 2002 to 2003. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Hsieh was managing director and Asia-Pacific tech/media/telecoms head of UBS Capital Asia Pacific, the private equity division of UBS AG. From 1997 to 2000 Mr. Hsieh was a technology investment banker at JP Morgan in San Francisco, California, where he was a vice president, and Credit Suisse First Boston in Palo Alto, California, where he was an associate. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Hsieh was a corporate and securities attorney at White & Case LLP in Los Angeles and is a member of the California bar. Mr. Hsieh also serves as an independent director of LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK), Perfect World Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD) and China Digital TV Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STV). Mr. Hsieh holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management from Stanford University, an MBA degree from the Harvard Business School, and a J.D. degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

Mr. Chenggang Zhou has served as our executive vice president since December 2006. Mr. Zhou joined us in 2000. From 2000 to 2003, he was the president of Shanghai New Oriental School. Mr. Zhou became our vice president in 2003 and has been the president of Beijing New Oriental School since 2003. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Zhou was a correspondent for the Asia Pacific region and a program host at BBC. Mr. Zhou received his bachelor’s degree in English from Suzhou University in China and his master’s degree in Communications from Macquarie University, Australia.

Mr. Xiangdong Chen has served as our senior vice president since January 2006. Mr. Chen joined us in 1999. He was promoted to be the executive assistant to our chief executive officer in 2001. From 2002 to September 2003, he was the president of Wuhan New Oriental School. Mr. Chen became our vice president in September 2003 and has been in charge of a number of departments at our head office, including short-term training system, human resources, marketing and public relationship and business development. Mr. Chen received his master’s degree in Economics and Ph.D. degree in Economics from Renmin University of China. Mr. Chen attended the executive management program at the Harvard Business School in 2005.

Mr. Robin Yanhong Li has served as our independent director since September 6, 2006. Mr. Li is a co-founder of Baidu.com, Inc., the leading Chinese language Internet search provider listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. Mr. Li has served as the chairman of the board of directors of Baidu.com since its inception in January 2000 and as its chief executive officer since January 2004. He served as the president of Baidu.com from February 2000 to December 2003. Prior to founding Baidu.com, Mr. Li worked as an engineer at Infoseek, a pioneer in the Internet search engine industry, from July 1997 to December 1999. Mr. Li received a bachelor’s degree in Information Science from Peking University and a master’s degree in computer science from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Mr. Denny Lee has served as our independent director since September 6, 2006. Mr. Lee has served as a director of Netease.com, Inc., a leading interactive online and wireless community in China and a major provider of Chinese language content and services listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, since April 2002. Previously, Mr. Lee was the chief financial officer of Netease.com until June 2007 and the financial controller of Netease.com from November 2001 to April 2002. Prior to joining Netease.com in 2001, Mr. Lee worked in the Hong Kong office of KPMG for more than ten years, culminating in the position of senior manager in one of the audit departments where he specialized in auditing international clients. During his employment with KPMG, he also worked with a number of Chinese companies with respect to accounting and other aspects of their initial public offerings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, due diligence work in relation to potential investments in Chinese companies and financial and operational reviews of Chinese companies in connection with proposed investments in such companies by foreign investors. Mr. Lee graduated from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University majoring in Accounting and is a member of The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.

Dr. John Zhuang Yang has served as our independent director since September 3, 2007. Dr. Yang is currently the International Dean of the Beijing International M.B.A. Program at Peking University. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Management at

 

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the China Center for Economic Research at Peking University and Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Management at Fordham University. Dr. Yang holds a Ph.D. degree in business administration from Columbia University, a master’s degree in sociology from Columbia University, a master’s degree in international and public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and a bachelor’s degree from the English Language and Literature Department of Peking University.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our senior executive officers. Under these agreements, each of our senior executive officers is employed for a specified time period. We may terminate employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the employee, such as a conviction or plea of guilty to a felony, negligence or dishonesty to our detriment and failure to perform agreed duties after a reasonable opportunity to cure the failure, death, or physical or mental incapacitation. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause. In such case we are required to provide severance compensations as expressly required by applicable law. On the other hand, an executive officer may terminate his employment with us at any time with a one-month prior notice if there is a material reduction in his authority, duties and responsibilities or if there is a material reduction in his annual salary before the next annual salary review. An executive officer may also resign prior to the expiry of the term of his or her employment agreement if our board approves his or her resignation or agrees to an alternative arrangement with such executive officer.

Each senior executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the termination or expiry of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, except as required in the performance of his or her duties in connection with the employment, any of our confidential information or trade secrets, any confidential information or trade secretes of our clients or prospective clients, or the confidential or proprietary information of any third party received by us and for which we have confidential obligations. The executive officers have also agreed to disclose in confidence to us all inventions, designs and trade secrets which they conceive, develop or reduce to practice and to assign all right, title and interest in them to us, and assist us in obtaining patents, copyrights and other legal rights for these inventions, designs and trade secrets. In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and one year following the termination or expiry of such employment agreement. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to (i) approach our clients, customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer for the purpose of doing business with such person or entities that will harm our business relationships with these persons or entities; (ii) assume employment with or provide services as a director for any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, in any business which is in direct or indirect competition with our business or (iii) seek directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of any of our employees who is employed by us on or after the date of the executive officer’s termination, or in the year preceding such termination.

B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, we paid an aggregate of US$907,217 in cash to our senior executive officers, and we paid an aggregate of US$46,000 to our non-executive directors.

Share Incentives

Historical Issuance of Restricted Shares

From January 2003 to May 2006, New Oriental China granted a total of 9,000,000 restricted shares to certain employees, directors, consultants and other individuals. All of these individuals appointed Beijing Beizhi Culture and Education Co., Ltd., or Beijing Beizhi, a PRC company, as a nominee to hold these restricted shares on their behalf. In December 2004, we underwent corporate restructuring, pursuant to which these individuals agreed to receive an identical proportional interest in our company as the proportional interest that Beijing Beizhi held for them in New Oriental China. These individuals, other than those who transferred their shares to their respective overseas holding companies, caused Capital River Group Limited, or Capital River, a British Virgin Islands company, to hold in trust the common shares of our company they received as a result of the restructuring. All of the common shares held by Capital River were restricted shares, subject to transfer restrictions and without the right to vote. Upon the completion of our additional public offering in February 2007, the trust arrangement automatically terminated and each individual became a direct holder of his or her shares.

 

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2006 Share Incentive Plan

On January 20, 2006, we adopted a 2006 Share Incentive Plan, or the 2006 plan, to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. The maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards (including options) is 8,000,000 shares, plus (i) 5,000,000 shares added on January 1, 2007, (ii) 5,000,000 shares added on January 1, 2008 and (iii) an annual increase on the first business day of each calendar year beginning in 2009 equal to the lesser of (x) 3,000,000 shares, (y) two percent (2%) of the number of shares outstanding as of such date, and (z) a lesser number of shares determined by the administrator of the 2006 Plan. In the event that the aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to all the awards granted by us in any given year has reached the maximum amount allowed in such year, we may, during such year, grant additional awards to entitle the recipients thereto to acquire up to 2,000,000 shares, or the extra shares, provided that the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards for the following year will be reduced by the number of the extra shares underlying the awards granted in the previous year.

The following table summarizes, as of the date of this annual report, the share options and restricted shares granted under our 2006 plan to several of our directors and executive officers and to other individuals as a group.

 

Name

   Common Shares
Underlying
Options Granted
    Exercise Price
(US$/Share)
   Date of Grant    Date of Expiration

Michael Minhong Yu

   *         1/24/08    8/1/12

Louis T. Hsieh

   *     US$      2.02    2/28/06    2/28/16
   *     US$      2.38    7/21/06    7/21/16
   *     US$      3.75    9/7/06    9/7/16
   *     US$      8.75    3/5/07    3/5/17
   *         1/24/08    8/1/12

Chenggang Zhou

   *     US$      2.02    2/28/06    2/28/16
   *     US$      8.75    3/5/07    3/5/17
   *   US$         1/24/08    8/1/12

Xiangdong Chen

   *     US$      2.02    2/28/06    2/28/16
   *     US$      8.75    3/5/07    3/5/17
   *         1/24/08    8/1/12

Robin Yanhong Li

   *     US$      2.38    7/21/06    7/21/16

Denny Lee

   *     US$      2.38    7/21/06    7/21/16

John Zhuang Yang

   *         1/24/08    8/1/12

Other individuals as a group

   4,979,500     US$      2.02    2/28/06    2/28/16
   1,020,000     US$      2.38    7/21/06    7/21/16
   2,906,500     US$      8.75    3/5/07    3/5/17
   20,000         1/24/08    8/1/12
   152,000         3/11/08    4/20/09

 

* Less than 1% of our total outstanding voting securities.
Restricted share awards.

The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of the 2006 plan.

Types of Awards. We may grant the following types of awards under our 2006 plan:

 

   

options to purchase our common shares;

 

   

restricted shares, which are common shares issued to the grantee that are subject to transfer restrictions, right of first refusal, repurchase, forfeiture, and other terms and conditions as established by our plan administrator; and restricted share units, which may be earned upon the passage of time or the attainment of performance criteria and which may be settled for cash, common shares or other securities, or a combination of cash, common shares or other securities as established by our plan administrator;

 

   

share appreciation rights, which entitle the grantee the right to common shares or cash compensation measured by the appreciation in the value of common shares; and

 

   

dividend equivalent rights, which entitle the grantee to compensation measured by dividends paid with respect to common shares.

 

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Plan Administration. Our board of directors, or a committee designated by our board or directors, will administer the 2006 plan. The committee or the full board of directors, as appropriate, will determine the provisions and terms and conditions of each award grant.

Award Agreement. Awards granted under our 2006 plan are evidenced by an award agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each award. In addition, the award agreement also specifies whether the option constitutes an incentive share option, or ISO, or a non-qualifying stock option.

Eligibility. We may grant awards to our employees, directors and consultants, including those of our parent companies and subsidiaries. However, we may grant options that are intended to qualify as ISOs only to our employees and employees of our parent companies and subsidiaries.

Acceleration of Awards upon Corporate Transactions. The outstanding awards will terminate and accelerate upon occurrence of certain significant corporate transactions, including amalgamations, consolidations, liquidations or dissolutions, sales of substantially all or all of the assets, reverse takeovers or acquisitions resulting in a change of control. If the successor entity assumes or replaces our outstanding awards under the 2006 plan, such assumed or replaced awards will become fully vested and immediately exercisable and payable, and be released from repurchase or forfeiture rights immediately upon termination of the grantee’s continuous service to us if such service is terminated by the successor entity without cause within 12 months after the effective date of the corporate transaction. Furthermore, if the successor entity does not assume or replace our outstanding awards, each outstanding award will become fully vested and immediately exercisable and payable, and will be released from any repurchase or forfeiture rights immediately before the effective date of the corporate transaction, as long as the grantee’s continuous service with us has not been terminated before this date.

Exercise Price and Term of Awards. In general, the plan administrator determines the exercise price of an option and sets forth the price in the award agreement. The exercise price may be a fixed or variable price related to the fair market value of our common shares. If we grant an ISO to an employee, the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common shares on the date of the grant, except that if the grantee, at the time of that grant, owns shares representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our shares, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our common shares on the date of that grant. If we grant a non-qualified share option to a grantee, the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common shares on the date of grant.

The term of each award under our 2006 plan will be specified in an award agreement, but shall not exceed ten years from the earlier to occur of adoption or approval of the plan, unless sooner terminated.

Vesting Schedule. In general, one-sixth of the common shares underlying the option will vest on each six-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date specified in the option award notice. The vesting will be suspended if the grantee’s leave of absence exceeds 90 days and will resume upon the grantee’s return to service to us.

C. Board Practices

Our board of directors currently consists of five directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in the company by way of qualification. A director may vote with respect to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement in which he is materially interested. A director may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money, mortgage its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any obligation of the company or of any third party.

 

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Committees of the Board of Directors

We have established three committees under the board of directors: the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. We have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Mr. Robin Yanhong Li, Mr. Denny Lee and Dr. John Zhuang Yang. Mr. Lee is the chairman of our audit committee. All of the members of our audit committee satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

selecting the independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

   

reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions, as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act;

 

   

discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies; and

 

   

meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent registered public accounting firm.

Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Mr. Robin Yanhong Li, Mr. Denny Lee and Dr. John Zhuang Yang. Mr. Li is the chairman of our compensation committee. All of the members of our compensation committee satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our Chief Executive Officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

reviewing and approving the total compensation package for our chief executive officer;

 

   

reviewing and recommending to the board with respect to the compensation of our directors; and

 

   

reviewing periodically and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee pension and welfare benefit plans.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Dr. John Zhuang Yang, Mr. Robin Yanhong Li and Mr. Denny Lee. Dr. Yang is the chairman of our nominating and corporate governance committee. All of the members of our nominating and corporate governance committee satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

selecting and recommending to the board nominees for election or re-election to the board, or for appointment to fill any vacancy;

 

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reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to us;

 

   

advising the board periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken; and

 

   

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

Duties of Directors

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a duty of loyalty to act honestly in good faith with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association. A shareholder has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

Terms of Directors and Officers

Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until such time as they resign or are removed from office by special resolution or the unanimous written resolution of all shareholders. A director will be removed from office automatically if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; or (ii) dies or is found by our company to be or becomes of unsound mind.

D. Employees

We had 2,559, 3,176 and 4,617 full time employees and 1,488, 2,155 and 2,737 contract teachers and staff as of May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. None of our employees is represented by a labor union. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

E. Share Ownership

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of August 31, 2008, by:

 

   

each of our directors and executive officers; and

 

   

each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our ordinary shares.

 

     Shares Beneficially
Owned
     Number(1)    %(2)

Directors and Executive Officers:

     

Michael Minhong Yu(3)

   31,000,000    20.55

Louis T. Hsieh

   *    *

Chenggang Zhou

   *    *

Xiangdong Chen

   *    *

Robin Yanhong Li

   *    *

Denny Lee

   *    *

John Zhuang Yang

   *    *

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group(4)

   32,917,197    21.63

Principal Shareholders:

     

Tigerstep Developments Limited(5)

   31,000,000    20.55

 

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* Less than 1%
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment owner with respect to the securities.
(2) For each person and group included in this table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of 150,873,599, being the number of ordinary shares outstanding as of August 31, 2008, and the number of ordinary shares underlying share options held by such person or group that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this annual report.
(3) Includes 31,000,000 common shares held by Tigerstep Developments Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Bamei Li, mother of Mr. Yu. Mr. Yu disclaims beneficial ownership of all the shares held by Tigerstep Developments Limited. The business address of Mr. Yu is No. 6 Hai Dian Zhong Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100080, People’s Republic of China.
(4) Includes ordinary shares, restricted shares and ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of all of the options that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this annual report held by all of our directors and senior executive officers as a group.
(5) Tigerstep Developments Limited, a company incorporated in the Brigish Virgin Islands, is wholly owned by Bamei Li, mother of Michael Minhong Yu. The registered address of Tigerstep Developments Limited is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporation Centre, Road Town, Tortola, the British Virgin Islands.

None of our existing shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.

 

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. Major Shareholders

Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — E. Share Ownership.”

B. Related Party Transactions

Contractual Arrangements with New Oriental China and Its Subsidiaries and Shareholders

PRC laws and regulations currently require any foreign entity that invests in the education business in China to be an educational institution with relevant experience in providing education outside of China. Our Cayman Islands holding company is not an educational institution and does not provide educational services. Accordingly, our whole owned subsidiaries in China, which are considered foreign-invested, are currently ineligible to apply for the required education licenses and permits in China. In addition, PRC laws and regulations prohibit foreign ownership of primary and middle schools for students in grades one to nine in China. We conduct our education business in China through contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries and shareholders. New Oriental China is our consolidated affiliated entity directly owned by our founders and their respective affiliates, as applicable. New Oriental China’s subsidiaries hold the requisite licenses and permits necessary to conduct our education business and operate our schools, learning centers and physical bookstores as well as online education business in China. We have been and are expected to continue to be dependent on New Oriental China and its subsidiaries to operate our education business until we qualify for direct ownership of an education business in China. We have entered into contractual arrangements with New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, pursuant to which we, through our wholly owned subsidiaries in China, provide exclusive teaching support, new enrollment system support and other services to New Oriental China and its subsidiaries in exchange for payments from them. In addition, we have entered into agreements with New Oriental China and each of the shareholders of New Oriental China which provide us with the substantial ability to control New Oriental China and its existing and future subsidiaries. These agreements are summarized in the following paragraphs.

Equity Pledge Agreement. Pursuant to the equity pledge agreements dated as of May 25, 2006 among New Oriental China, the shareholders of New Oriental China, Beijing Hewstone and Beijing Decision, each shareholder agreed to pledge his or its equity interests of New Oriental China to Beijing Hewstone and Beijing Decision to secure the performance of New Oriental China’s or its subsidiaries’ obligations under the relevant principal agreements including certain teaching support agreements, new enrollment

 

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system development service agreements, website development and use agreements, and trademark license agreements, and each of them has agreed not to transfer, sell, pledge, dispose of or otherwise create any encumbrance on his or its equity interest in New Oriental China without the prior written consent of Beijing Decision.

Exclusive Option Agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreements entered into on various dates, as amended on May 25, 2006, among our company, New Oriental China and the shareholders of New Oriental China, the shareholders of New Oriental China are obligated to sell to us, and we have an exclusive, irrevocable and unconditional right to purchase, or cause our designated party to purchase, from such shareholders, in our sole discretion, part or of all of these shareholders’ equity interests in New Oriental China when and to the extent that applicable PRC law permits us to own part or all of such equity interests in New Oriental China. The purchase price to be paid by us will be the minimum amount of consideration permitted by applicable PRC law at the time when such share transfer occurs.

Trademark Transfer Agreement. Pursuant to the trademark transfer agreement dated as of December 12, 2004 between New Oriental China and us, New Oriental China agreed to transfer its trademarks and to us for a consideration of US$50,000 to be paid in five equal annual installments. Following such trademark transfer, we have an exclusive right to own, use, transfer, license, benefit from or otherwise dispose of the foregoing trademark.

Trademark License Agreements. Pursuant to (1) the trademark license agreement dated May 13, 2006 between us as the licensor and New Oriental China as the licensee and (2) the trademark license agreement dated May 13, 2006 between us as the licensor and Beijing Hewstone as the licensee, we have licensed our trademarks to New Oriental China and Beijing Hewstone for their use in China. We have also allowed Hewstone to enter into a sub-license agreement with each subsidiary of New Oriental China and each New Oriental school pursuant to which each of these subsidiaries and schools may use our trademarks in China by paying certain licensing fees. Beijing Hewstone is authorized to collect the licensing fees from each sub-licensee and handle other related matters. The term of each of these license and sublicense agreements is ten years from its signing date.

Website Development and Use Agreements. Pursuant to the website development and use agreements dated as of April 25, 2005 and their respective supplements entered into on January 1, 2006 between Beijing Decision and certain New Oriental schools and subsidiaries of New Oriental China, Beijing Decision agreed to provide website development and regular system maintenance services to each of these New Oriental schools and each of these subsidiaries for an annual fee calculated based upon the annual revenues of the school and the subsidiary, respectively, subject to quarterly adjustments. Beijing Decision agreed to design and create a web platform based upon the request of the school and the subsidiary, as the case may be, each of which has the exclusive right to use, benefit from or otherwise dispose of the web platform. Each of these agreements and corresponding supplements has a term of five years from the signing date of the supplement.

Teaching Support Agreements. Pursuant to the teaching support agreements dated as of April 25, 2005 and their respective supplements entered into on January 1, 2006 between Beijing Decision and certain New Oriental schools, Beijing Decision agreed to provide exclusive teaching support services to each of these New Oriental schools for an annual fee based on the school’s revenues, subject to quarterly adjustments. The teaching support services include developing a curriculum for the school. Each of these agreements and their corresponding supplements has a term of five years from the signing date of the supplement.

New Enrollment System Development Service Agreements. Pursuant to the new enrollment system development service agreements dated as of April 25, 2005 and their respective supplements entered into on January 1, 2006 between Beijing Decision and certain New Oriental schools, Beijing Decision agreed to provide new enrollment system development and regular maintenance services to each of these New Oriental schools for a fee calculated based upon the number of new enrollments each month, subject to quarterly adjustments. The new enrollment system in these agreements refers to the new enrollment system designed and created by Beijing Decision. Each of these agreements and corresponding supplements has a term of five years from the signing of the supplement.

Sale of Educational Software. Since 2005, Beijing Hewstone has been selling various self-developed educational software to various New Oriental Schools, which are in turn included as part of the course materials for students enrolling in relevant courses. The sales are conducted at mutually agreed-upon prices without any written agreement between the parties.

 

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Domain Name Transfer Agreement. Pursuant to the domain name transfer agreement dated as of December 12, 2004 between us and certain New Oriental schools and subsidiaries, these schools and subsidiaries agreed to transfer their domain names (e.g. www.neworiental.org) to us for a nominal consideration. Following such transfer, we have an exclusive right to own, use, transfer, license, benefit from or otherwise dispose of the foregoing domain name.

Building Lease. Pursuant to the building lease dated as of July 1, 2005 between the Beijing Judgment and Tianjin New Oriental School, Beijing Judgment agreed to lease its building located in Nankai District, Tianjin to Tianjin New Oriental School for the school’s use in carrying out its language training and teaching business. The total annual rent paid by Tianjin New Oriental School to Beijing Judgment is approximately US$0.2 million. The term of this lease is five years from the date thereof.

Private Placement

In December 2004, we issued an aggregate of 11,111,111 preferred shares to the entities affiliated with Tiger Global in a private placement at a price per share equal to US$2.025 per share for an aggregate purchase price of approximately US$22.5 million. The price per share was determined through our arm’s-length transaction with Tiger Global. Holders of our preferred shares are entitled to vote on an “as converted” basis together with the holders of common shares. Each preferred share automatically converted into one common share upon completion of our initial public offering in September 2006.

In connection with our issuance and sale of preferred shares in December 2004, we entered into an investors’ rights agreement, right of first refusal and co-sale agreement and voting agreement with Tiger Global and the holders of our common shares. The investors’ rights agreement was amended and restated in May 2005.

Investors’ Rights Agreement. We have granted Tiger Global and certain holders of our common shares customary registration rights, including demand and piggyback registration rights and Form F-3 registration rights.

Transactions with Certain Related Parties

In December 2004, we entered into a share transfer agreement with our then director Mr. Yongqiang Qian to transfer our 56.2% equity interest in Liandong Weiye, a former subsidiary of New Oriental China engaging primarily in the wireless application protocol business, to Mr. Qian for US$0.6 million in cash. This transfer was effected in order for us to focus our core business of educational services. The disposal was completed in March 2005, when control of Liandong Weiye was passed to Mr. Qian.

Beijing Century Friendship Education Investment Co., Ltd., or Beijing Century, a corporation controlled by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Minhong Yu, made loans to us in the past in an aggregate amount of US$1.3 million in 2004 and US$94,845 in 2005. The loans were used to fund the establishment of a new school and our operational cash needs. The loans were unsecured, non-interest bearing and payable on demand. We repaid all the loans in full by May 31, 2006.

During our fiscal year 2006, the Taixing School leased an office space from one of its minority shareholders who waived our rent fees for the entire 20-year term of the lease. We recognize rent expenses based on the fair value of the rental fees we would have incurred if we had leased the property from an unrelated third party, and we recorded the rent expense against additional paid-in capital.

Employment Agreements

See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employee—A. Directors and Senior Management” for a description of the employment agreements we have entered into with our senior executive officers.

 

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Share Incentives

See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employee—B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers” for a description of share options and stock purchase rights we have granted to our directors, officers and other individuals as a group.

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

We have appended consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.

Legal and Administrative Proceedings

From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings, investigations and claims incidental to the conduct of our business. We are not currently a party to any legal proceeding or investigation which, in the opinion of our management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.

We have been subject to copyright, trademark and trade name infringement claims and legal proceedings in the past which related to, among other things, infringement of third parties’ copyrights in materials distributed by us and the unauthorized use of a third party’s name in connection with the marketing and promotion of one of our programs, and we may be subject to similar claims and legal proceedings from time to time in the future. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Third parties have in the past brought intellectual property infringement claims against us based on the content of the books and other teaching or marketing materials that we or our teachers authored and/or distributed and may bring similar claims against us in the future.”

Dividend Policy

We declared an annual dividend of RMB0.05 (US$0.01), RMB0.27 (US$0.03) and RMB0.65 (US$0.08) per share, respectively, to holders of our common shares in our fiscal years 2003, 2004 and 2005. We declared an annual dividend of RMB0.59 (US$0.07) per share to holders of our common shares and preferred shares in our fiscal year 2006. We have no present plan to declare any dividends on our shares in the near future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We rely on dividends from our subsidiaries in China and consulting, license and other fees paid to us by New Oriental China and its subsidiaries. Current PRC regulations permit our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China are required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital, and to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund at the discretion of the board. These reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends. Further, if our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Moreover, New Oriental China owns many private schools in China. At the end of each fiscal year, every private school in China is required to allocate a certain amount out of its annual net income, if any, to its development fund for the construction or maintenance of the school or procurement or upgrade of educational equipment. In the case of a private school that requires reasonable returns, this amount shall be no less than 25% of the annual net income of the school, while in the case of a private school that does not require reasonable returns, this amount shall be equivalent to no less than 25% of the annual increase in the net assets of the school, if any.

 

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Our board of directors has complete discretion regarding whether to declare and distribute dividends, subject to the approval of our shareholders. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of our common shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder.

B. Significant Changes

Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

 

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

A. Offering and Listing Details

Not applicable.

B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

C. Markets

Our ADSs, each representing four of our common shares, have been listed on the NYSE since September 7, 2006. Our ADSs trade under the symbol “EDU.” For the period from September 7, 2006 to October 22, 2008 the trading price of our ADSs on the NYSE has ranged from US$20.80 to US$92.15 per ADS. The following table provides the high and low trading prices for our ADSs on the NYSE for each of the months since our initial public offering.

 

          Trading Price
          High    Low
          US$    US$

Monthly Highs and Lows

     

2006

  

(from September 7)

     
  

September (from September 7)

   28.31    20.80
  

October

   28.40    23.10
  

November

   35.60    24.88
  

December

   37.96    32.00

2007

        
  

January

   39.62    32.80
  

February

   44.80    34.19
  

March

   43.85    34.60
  

April

   49.46    40.00
  

May

   50.20    42.70
  

June

   54.60    44.38
  

July

   59.67    45.15
  

August

   56.41    42.89
  

September

   66.64    52.53
  

October

   92.15    61.56
  

November

   88.25    62.32
  

December

   91.77    72.20

2008

  

(through October 22)

     
  

January

   86.49    45.31
  

February

   63.85    52.00
  

March

   69.69    55.52
  

April

   75.92    61.00
  

May

   81.59    65.40
  

June

   71.52    58.00
  

July

   76.74    53.01
  

August

   78.91    67.25
  

September

   76.43    58.00
  

October (through October 22)

   64.65    51.00

 

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D. Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

E. Dilution

Not applicable.

F. Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A. Share Capital

Not applicable.

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

We incorporate by reference into this annual report our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-136825), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2006.

C. Material Contracts

We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in “Item 4. Information on the Company” or elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

D. Exchange Controls

See “Item 4. Information on the Company Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Currency Exchange.”

E. Taxation

The following discussion of the material Cayman Islands and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or common shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this registration statement, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or common shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman, our special Cayman Islands counsel.

Cayman Islands Taxation

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

 

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United States Federal Income Taxation

The following discussion applies only to investors that hold the ADSs or common shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date of this annual report and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the date of this annual report as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.

The following discussion does not deal with the tax consequences to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:

 

   

banks;

 

   

financial institutions;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

broker dealers;

 

   

traders that elect to mark to market;

 

   

tax-exempt entities;

 

   

persons liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

   

persons holding an ADS or common share as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction;

 

   

persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting stock;

 

   

persons holding ADSs or common shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities; or

 

   

persons who acquired ADSs or common shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as consideration.

INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF ADSS OR COMMON SHARES.

The discussion below of the United States federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply if you are the beneficial owner of ADSs or common shares and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the U.S.;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any State or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

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a trust that (1) is subject to the supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement are true and that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be complied with in accordance with the terms. If you hold ADSs, you should be treated as the holder of the underlying common shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are pre-released may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming, by U.S. Holders of ADSs, of foreign tax credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, as described below. Accordingly, the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders could be affected by future actions that may be taken by the U.S. Treasury.

Taxation of Distributions on the ADSs or Common Shares

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of all our distributions to you with respect to the ADSs or common shares generally will be included in your gross income as ordinary dividend income on the date of receipt by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by you, in the case of common shares, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, dividends may be “qualified dividend income” which is taxed at the lower applicable capital gains rate provided that (1) the ADSs or common shares, as applicable, are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or we are eligible for the benefit of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) for either our taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. For this purpose, ADSs listed on the NYSE (but not our common shares) will be considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ADSs or common shares.

Dividends will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation will in general be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate divided by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to the ADSs or common shares generally will constitute “passive category income” but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute “general category income.” If PRC withholding taxes apply to dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or common shares, you may be able to obtain a reduced rate of PRC withholding taxes under the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC if certain requirements are met. In addition, subject to certain conditions and limitations, PRC withholding taxes on dividends may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability. U.S. Holders should consult their own advisors regarding the creditability of any PRC tax.

To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ADSs or common shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will generally be reported as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.

 

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Taxation of Disposition of Shares

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an ADS or common share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the ADS or common share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the ADS or common share. The gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. If you are non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual, who has held the ADS or common share for more than one year, you will be eligible for reduced capital gains rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss. However, in the event we are deemed to be a Chinese “resident enterprise” under PRC tax law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC. In such event, and provided that a U.S. Holder is eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, if PRC tax were to be imposed on any gain from the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder may elect to treat the gain as PRC source income. U.S. Holders should consult their own advisors regarding the creditability of any PRC tax.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

Although it is not clear how the contractual arrangements between us and our variable interest entities will be treated for purpose of the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules, we believe we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ending May 31, 2008. Our PFIC status for our current taxable year ending May 31, 2008 will not be determinable until the close of such taxable year. A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either:

 

   

at least 75% of its gross income is passive income (the “income test”); or

 

   

at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “assets test”).

We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% (by value) of the stock.

We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. As a result, our PFIC status may change. In particular, fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs and common shares may result in us becoming a passive foreign investment company. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold ADSs or common shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold ADSs or common shares. However, if we cease to be a PFIC, you may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a deemed sale election with respect to the ADSs or common shares. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year and any of our foreign subsidiaries is also a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. Holders should consult their own advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ADSs or common shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ADSs or common shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or common shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:

 

   

the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ADSs or common shares;

 

   

the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and

 

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the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the ADSs or common shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the ADSs or common shares as capital assets.

We do not intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election.

Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock of a PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. If you make a valid mark-to-market election for the ADSs or common shares, you will include in income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ADSs or common shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such ADSs or common shares. You are allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ADSs or common shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, deductions are allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ADSs or common shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or common shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the ADSs or common shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ADSs or common shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such ADSs or common shares. Your basis in the ADSs or common shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make such a mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us (except that the lower applicable capital gains rate would not apply).

The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable Treasury regulations. Our ADSs are listed on the NYSE, which is a qualified exchange for these purposes. Consequently, if you are a holder of ADSs and the ADSs are regularly traded on the NYSE, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to become a PFIC.

If you hold ADSs or common shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the ADSs or common shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the ADSs or common shares.

You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in ADSs or common shares.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Dividend payments with respect to ADSs or common shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of ADSs or common shares may be subject to information reporting to the Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding at a current rate of 28%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.

 

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F. Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

G. Statement by Experts

Not applicable.

H. Documents on Display

We have filed with the SEC registration statements on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits and securities under the Securities Act with respect to underlying ordinary shares represented by the ADSs.

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F no later than six months after the close of each fiscal year, which is May 31. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

We will furnish Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, the depositary of our ADSs, with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders’ meetings and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and, upon our request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting received by the depositary from us.

I. Subsidiary Information

For a listing of our subsidiaries, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.”

 

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income generated by excess cash invested in liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. We have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed, nor do we anticipate being exposed, to material risks due to changes in interest rates. However, our future interest income may be lower than expected due to changes in market interest rates.

Foreign Exchange Risk

Substantially all of our revenues and most of our expenses are denominated in RMB. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates to cash and cash equivalent denominated in U.S. dollars as a result of our past issuances of preferred shares through a private placement and proceeds from our initial public offering. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not hedged exposures denominated in foreign currencies or any other derivative financial instruments. Although in general, our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RMB because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while the ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.

 

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The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. The conversion of RMB into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, has been based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy has resulted in an approximately 19.3% appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar by May 30, 2008. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we received from our additional public offering into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. Assuming we had converted the U.S. dollar denominated cash balance of US$1 million as of May 31, 2008 into RMB at the exchange rate of US$1.00 for RMB6.9400 as of May 30, 2008, this cash balance would have been RMB6.94 million. Assuming a further 1.0% appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar, this cash balance would have decreased to RMB6.87 million as of May 31, 2008. We have not used any forward contracts or currency borrowings to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

Inflation

Inflation in China has not materially impacted our results of operations in recent years. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the change of consumer price index in China was 1.8%, 1.5% and 4.8% in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 157 does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” delays the effective date of Statement 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS No. 159 requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of the company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which a company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combination.” This standard replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combination.” The standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations with acquisition dates on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply SFAS No. 141R before that date. We are currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS No. 141R will have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements,” to improves the relevance, comparability, and transparency of financial information provided to investors by requiring all entities to report non-controlling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way as required in the consolidated financial statements. Moreover, SFAS No. 160 eliminates the diversity that currently exists in accounting for transactions between an entity and non-controlling interests by requiring they be treated as equity transaction. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2008, The FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The new standard is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. We have not yet begun the process of assessing the potential impact of the adoption of FASB No. 161 may have on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

Not Applicable.

PART II

 

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

 

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were designed, and were effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the company in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and were also effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, our management evaluated the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of May 31, 2008.

 

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, who audited the financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F, has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc., its subsidiaries, and its variable interest entity (collectively, the “Group”) as of May 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Group’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Group’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Group maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended May 31, 2008 of the Group and our report dated October 23, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Group’s adoption of the recognition and measurement methods under Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” and the change of reporting currency from Renminbi to United States dollars.

/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.

Beijing, the People’s Republic of China

October 23, 2008

Changes in Internal Control

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our board of directors has determined that Denny Lee, one of our independent directors and the chairman of our audit committee, is our audit committee financial expert.

 

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers, employees and agents, including certain provisions that specifically apply to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief technology officer, vice presidents and any other persons who perform similar functions for us. We have filed our code of business conduct and ethics as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-136825).

 

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., our independent registered public accounting firm, for the periods indicated. We did not pay any other fees to our independent registered public accounting firm during the periods indicated below.

 

     For the Year Ended May 31,

(in US$ thousands)

   2006    2007    2008

Audit fees(1)

   384    1,368    1,300

Tax fees(2)

   35    62    50

 

(1) “Audit fees” means the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our comparative interim financial statements, which also included the issuance of the audit and review of financial statements and other assurance services rendered in connection with our initial public offering in 2006.
(2) “Tax fees” represents the aggregated fees billed for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

The policy of our audit committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., including audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as described above, other than those for de minimus services which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit.

 

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

None.

PART III

 

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.

 

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements of New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. are included at the end of this annual report.

 

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Number Description of Document

  1.1   Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-142190), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on August 22, 2006)
  8.1*   Subsidiaries of the registrant
11.1   Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-136825), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on August 22, 2006)
12.1*   CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2*   CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1*   CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.2*   CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
23.1*   Consent of Tian Yuan Law Firm
23.2*   Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.

 

* Filed with this annual report on Form 20-F

 

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SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
By  

/s/    Michael Minhong Yu

Name:   Michael Minhong Yu
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: October 23, 2008

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

 

CONTENTS

   PAGE(S)

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   2

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MAY 31, 2007 AND 2008

   3 -4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

   5 - 6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

   7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

   8 - 9

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   10 - 48

SCHEDULE 1

   49 - 53

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc., its subsidiaries, and its variable interest entity (collectively, the “Group”) as of May 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2008 and related financial statement schedule included in Schedule I. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of May 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, effective on June 1, 2007, the Group adopted the recognition and measurement methods under Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”. In addition, as described in Note 2, effective from December 1, 2007, the Group changed its reporting currency from Renminbi to United States dollars. The accompanying financial statements and corresponding notes prior to December 1, 2007 have been restated to reflect United States dollars as the reporting currency for comparison to the financial statements for the year ended May 31, 2008.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Group’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated October 23, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Group’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.

Beijing, the People’s Republic of China

October 23, 2008

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     As of May 31,
     2007    2008
     US$    US$

ASSETS

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   204,396    208,440

Restricted cash

   400    503

Term deposits

   3,006    52,951

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of US$44 and US$88 for 2007 and 2008, respectively

   537    880

Inventory

   6,408    10,693

Deferred tax assets

   —      358

Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net of allowance of US$116 and US$195 for 2007 and 2008, respectively

   6,162    13,015
         

Total current assets

   220,909    286,840

Property and equipment, net

   90,575    103,098

Land use rights, net

   3,255    3,509

Amounts due from related parties

   44    —  

Deferred tax assets, non-current

   1,091    1,041

Deposit for business acquisition of Mingshitang

   —      2,017

Trademark

   214    236

Long term investment

   2    2
         

Total assets

   316,090    396,743
         

LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST, AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

     

Current liabilities

     

Accounts payable

   5,657    7,033

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   17,959    28,879

Income taxes payable

   2,016    2,755

Amounts due to related parties

   12    6

Deferred revenue

   43,228    59,213
         

Total current and total liabilities

   68,872    97,886
         

Minority interest

   238    177
         

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     As of May 31,
     2007    2008
     US$    US$

Commitments (Note 17)

     

Shareholders’ equity

     

Common shares (US$0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized as of May 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively; 152,004,707 and 152,197,907 shares issued and outstanding as of May 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively)

   1,491    1,503

Additional paid-in capital

   189,445    177,794

Statutory reserves

   6,911    10,448

Retained earnings

   43,033    88,509

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   6,100    20,426
         

Total shareholders’ equity

   246,980    298,680
         

Total liabilities, minority interest and shareholders’ equity

   316,090    396,743
         

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     Years ended May 31,  
     2006     2007     2008  
     US$     US$     US$  

NET REVENUES

      

Educational programs and services

   88,538     123,543     183,917  

Books and others

   5,984     9,060     17,086  
                  

Total net revenues

   94,522     132,603     201,003  
                  

Operating costs and expenses

      

Cost of revenues

   (39,378 )   (53,744 )   (77,219 )

Selling and marketing

   (10,077 )   (16,549 )   (25,617 )

General and administrative

   (37,569 )   (36,218 )   (52,832 )
                  

Total operating costs and expenses

   (87,024 )   (106,511 )   (155,668 )
                  

OPERATING INCOME

   7,498     26,092     45,335  
                  

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

      

Interest income

   286     4,730     8,035  

Interest expense

   (1,207 )   (416 )   —    

Miscellaneous income (expense)

   17     (105 )   (886 )
                  

Income from continuing operations before provisions for income taxes and minority interest

   6,594     30,301     52,484  
                  

Provision for income taxes:

      

Current

   (1,985 )   (2,231 )   (3,839 )

Deferred

   276     401     195  
                  

Provision for income taxes

   (1,709 )   (1,830 )   (3,644 )
                  

Minority interest, net of taxes

   (1 )   128     173  
                  

Income from continuing operations

   4,884     28,599     49,013  
                  

Discontinued operations (Note 3):

      

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes of US$ 208, US$nil and US$nil for 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively

   1,177     —       —    
                  

Income from discontinued operations

   1,177     —       —    
                  

NET INCOME

   6,061     28,599     49,013  

Non-pro-rata distribution (Note 3)

   (3,132 )   —       —    
                  

Net income available for future distribution

   2,929     28,599     49,013  
                  

Net income per share—basic (Note 15)

      

Non-pro-rata distribution

   0.03     —       —    
                  

Net income available for future distribution

   0.03     0.21     0.33  
                  

Net income per share—diluted (Note 15)

      

Non-pro-rata distribution

   0.03     —       —    
                  

Net income available for future distribution

   0.03     0.20     0.31  
                  

Weighted average shares used in calculating basic net income per share

   100,000,000     134,218,191     149,992,200  
                  

Weighted average shares used in calculating diluted net income per share

   111,111,111     142,093,794     156,449,101  
                  

 

F - 5


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

     Years ended May 31,  
     2006    2007     2008  
     US$    US$     US$  

Cash dividends

   8,040    —       —    
                 

Cash dividends per as-converted common shares

   0.07    —       —    
                 

Share-based compensation expense included in:

       

Cost of revenues

   48    277     707  

Selling and marketing

   173    109     226  

General and administrative

   7,688    4,261     7,809  
                 

Total

   7,909    4,647     8,742  
                 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F - 6


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     Series A convertible
preferred shares
    Common shares    Additional
paid-in

capital
    Statutory
reserves
   Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   Total
shareholders'
equity
    Comprehensive
income
     Shares     US$     Unrestricted
shares
    US$     Restricted
shares
    US$    US$     US$    US$     US$    US$     US$

Balance at June 1, 2005

   11,111,111     111     92,324,778     1,000     7,675,222     —      30,925     4,676    21,780     5    58,497     —  

Issuance of restricted shares to employees

   —       —       —       —       —       —      9,025     —      —       —      9,025     —  

Share-based compensation expense for employee share options

   —       —       —       —       —       —      750     —      —       —      750     —  

Transfer to statutory reserves

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       2,137    (2,137 )   —      —       —  

Dividends

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       —      (8,040 )   —      (8,040 )   —  

Non-pro-rata distribution

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       —      (3,132 )   —      (3,132 )   —  

Net income

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       —      6,061     —      6,061     6,061

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       —      —       1,852    1,852     1,852
                                                                   

Balance at May 31, 2006

   11,111,111     111     92,324,778     1,000     7,675,222     —      40,700     6,813    14,532     1,857    65,013     7,913
                                                                   

Conversion of preferred shares upon the initial public offering (“IPO”)

   (11,111,111 )   (111 )   11,111,111     111     —       —      —       —      —       —      —       —  

Issuance of common shares upon IPO

   —       —       34,500,000     345     —       —      118,349     —      —       —      118,694     —  

Release of restricted shares to unrestricted shares

   —       —       7,675,222       (7,675,222 )   —      —       —      —       —      —       —  

Issuance of common shares upon the follow-on public offering

   —       —       2,393,596     24     —       —      23,329     —      —       —      23,353     —  

Common shares converted to ADS shares for future exercises of share options (note 1)

   —       —       4,000,000     —       —       —      —       —      —       —      —       —  

Issuance of ADS shares for the exercises of employee share options (note 1)

   —       —       —       11     —       —      2,332     —      —       —      2,343     —  

Share-based compensation expense for employee share options

   —       —       —       —       —       —      4,647     —      —       —      4,647     —  

Waived rental expense by a minority shareholder

   —       —       —       —       —       —      88     —      —       —      88     —  

Transfer to statutory reserves

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       98    (98 )   —      —      

Net income

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       —      28,599        28,599     28,599

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       —        4,243    4,243     4,243
                                                                   

Balance at May 31, 2007

   —       —       152,004,707     1,491     —       —      189,445     6,911    43,033     6,100    246,980     32,842
                                                                   

Common shares converted to ADS shares for future exercises of share options or non-vested equity shares (note 1)

   —       —       2,000,000     —       —       —      —       —      —       —      —       —  

Issuance of ADS shares for the exercises of employee share options (note 1)

   —       —       —       28     —       —      8,665     —      —       —      8,693     —  

The vesting of non-vested equity shares

   —       —         2     —       —      (2 )   —      —       —      —       —  

Shares repurchase (note 1)

   —       —       (1,806,800 )   (18 )   —       —      (29,180 )   —      —       —      (29,198 )   —  

Share-based compensation expense

   —       —       —       —       —       —      8,742     —      —       —      8,742     —  

Waived rental expense by a minority shareholder

   —       —       —       —       —       —      124     —      —       —      124     —  

Transfer to statutory reserves

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       3,537    (3,537 )   —      —      

Net income

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       —      49,013     —      49,013     49,013

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —       —       —       —       —       —      —       —      —       14,326    14,326     14,326
                                                                   

Balance at May 31, 2008

   —       —       152,197,907     1,503     —       —      177,794     10,448    88,509     20,426    298,680     63,339
                                                                   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Years ended May 31,  
     2006     2007     2008  
     US$     US$     US$  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income

   6,061     28,599     49,013  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

      

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

   5,064     6,806     7,727  

Amortization of land use rights

   68     70     76  

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

   22     83     (24 )

Share-based compensation expense

   7,909     4,647     8,742  

Bad debt provision

   —       160     123  

Waived rental expense by a minority shareholder

   —       171     243  

Minority interest in continuing operations

   1     (128 )   (173 )

Deferred income taxes

   (276 )   (401 )   (195 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

      

Accounts receivables

   789     (179 )   (309 )

Inventory

   (1,290 )   (1,607 )   (3,432 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   (849 )   (1,874 )   (4,788 )

Accounts payable

   1,411     905     753  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   (1,761 )   8,575     7,547  

Income taxes payable

   883     793     479  

Deferred revenue

   6,736     10,990     10,926  

Amounts due to related parties

   16     —       —    

Long term prepaid rent

   29     137     —    
                  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   24,813     57,747     76,708  
                  

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Restricted cash

   88     (7 )   (59 )

Term deposits

   —       (2,931 )   (46,943 )

Payment of a deposit for business acquisition of Mingshitang

   —       —       (2,017 )

Purchase of trademark

   (201 )   —       —    

Purchase of property and equipment

   (11,567 )   (7,929 )   (11,360 )

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

   100     139     618  

Amounts due from related parties

   (369 )   29     —    

Proceeds from a disposal of discontinued operations, net of cash disposed

   (2,225 )   —       —    

Acquisition of nominee owners equity interests (note (1))

   (255 )   —       (14 )
                  

Net cash used in investing activities

   (14,429 )   (10,699 )   (59,775 )
                  

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

   4,909     —       —    

Repayments on short-term borrowings

   (9,817 )   (4,460 )   —    

Repayments on long-term debt

   (8,084 )   (19,146 )   —    

Payment of remaining issuance cost relating to follow on offering

   —       —       (272 )

Proceeds from issuance of common share upon IPO, net of US$10,392 issuance costs paid

   —       118,983    

Proceeds from issuance of common share upon follow on offering net of US$1,023 issuance cost paid

   —       23,811     —    

Proceeds from issuance of common share upon exercise of share option

   —       2,332     8,274  

Proceeds from issuance of restricted shares to employees

   1,239     561     —    

Cash paid for shares repurchase

   —       —       (27,263 )

Dividends paid to shareholders

   (7,945 )   —       —    

Amounts due to related parties

   7     (37 )   —    

Capital contribution from minority shareholders

   —       250     —    
                  

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   (19,691 )   122,294     (19,261 )
                  

 

F - 8


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - continued

(In thousands)

 

     Years ended May 31,
     2006     2007    2008
     US$     US$    US$

Effects of exchange rate changes

   1,144     2,410    6,372
               

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

   (8,163 )   171,752    4,044

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

   40,807     32,644    204,396
               

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   32,644     204,396    208,440
               

Supplement disclosure of cash flow information

       

Cash paid during the year for interest

   2,295     513    —  
               

Income taxes paid

   1,241     1,356    3,100
               

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

       

Payable for purchase of property and equipment

   4,684     2,067    2,269

Payable for share repurchase

   —       —      1,935

Conversion of Series A convertible preferred shares to common shares

   —       111    —  

Dividends payable

   96     —      —  

Application of professional fees prepaid in prior year against services received during IPO process

   —       289    —  

Accrued issuance costs related to follow on offering

   —       458    —  

Dividends payable offset against amount due from a related party

   —       96    —  
               

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F - 9


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Beijing New Oriental Education & Technology (Group) Co., Ltd., (“New Oriental China”) was established on August 2, 2001. New Oriental China and its subsidiaries primarily conduct their businesses in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”).

On August 18, 2004, the shareholder group of New Oriental China established New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (the “Company”) under the laws of the British Virgin Islands with initial 100,000,000 common shares. On January 25, 2006, the Company changed its corporate domicile to the Cayman Islands. The Company, its subsidiaries, its variable interest entity, New Oriental China, and the variable interest entity’s subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Group”, hereinafter.

The Group provides high quality training programs including English and other foreign language training and non-degree seeking vocational training to Chinese students. The Group also operates full-curriculum primary and secondary boarding schools. Products and services offerings of the Group also include book publishing, on-line education, career and study-aboard advisory services, kindergarten and educational contents distribution.

In September 2006, the Company and certain selling shareholders of the Company completed an IPO of 8,625,000 American depositary shares (“ADSs”) representing 34,500,000 of the Company’s common shares. Immediately prior to the completion of the IPO, all of the Company’s then outstanding preferred shares automatically converted into an equal number of common shares. In addition, immediately following the completion of the IPO, the Company’s memorandum of association was amended and restated to increase the Company’s total authorized share capital to 300,000,000 common shares at a par value of US$0.01 per common share.

In February 2007, the Company and certain selling shareholders of the Company completed an additional public offering and the Company issued 598,399 ADSs, representing 2,393,596 common shares as part of the offering.

In February and October 2007, the Company transferred 4,000,000 and 2,000,000 common shares, respectively, to its depositary bank representing 1,000,000 and 500,000 ADSs, to be issued to employees and non-employees upon the exercise of their vested share options or upon the vesting of non-vested equity shares (“NES”). As of May 31, 2008, 3,999,412 common shares out of these 6,000,000 common shares had been issued to employees and non-employees upon the exercise of their share options and 200,332 NES had been issued to employees upon the vesting of their shares. 1,800,256 common shares remain for future issuance.

In February 2008, the Company announced the 1,000,000 ADSs representing 4,000,000 of the company’s common shares repurchase program. As of May 31, 2008, 1,806,800 common shares had been repurchased.

 

F - 10


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued

 

As of May 31, 2008, details of the Company’s subsidiaries and variable interest entity and its subsidiaries were as follows:

 

Name

  

Date of

incorporation
or establishment

  

Place of
incorporation
(or establishment)
/operation

   Percentage
of ownership
   

Principal activity

Subsidiaries of the Company:

          

Beijing Decision Education & Consulting Company Limited (“Beijing Decision”)

   April 20, 2005    PRC    100 %   Educational Information system and other consulting services

Beijing Judgment Education & Company Limited (“Beijing Judgment”)

   April 20, 2005    PRC    100 %   Educational consulting and investing activities

Beijing Hewstone Technology Company Limited (“Beijing Hewstone”)

   April 20, 2005    PRC    100 %   Educational software development and distribution and other consulting services

New Oriental Education Corporation (Canada)

   January, 2002    Canada    100 %   Language education

Elite Concept Holdings Limited

   December 3, 2007    Hong Kong    100 %   Educational Consulting

Variable interest entity of the Company:

          

New Oriental China

   August 2, 2001    PRC    —       Education consulting, software development and distributions and other services

Subsidiaries of New Oriental China:

          

Beijing Haidian District Privately-Funded New Oriental School

   October 5, 1993    PRC    100 %   Language and post-secondary education

Shanghai Yangpu District New Oriental Advanced Study School

   June 1, 2000    PRC    100 %   Language education

Guangzhou Haizhu District Privately-Funded New Oriental Training School

   September 8, 2000    PRC    100 %   Language education

Wuhan New Oriental Training School

   April 24, 2002    PRC    100 %   Language education

Tianjin New Oriental Training School

   August 21, 2002    PRC    100 %   Language education

Xi’an Yanta District New Oriental School

   November 26, 2002    PRC    100 %   Language education

Nanjing Gulou New Oriental Advanced Study School

   November 28, 2002    PRC    100 %   Language education

Shenzhen New Oriental Training School

   October 15, 2003    PRC    100 %   Language education

Shenyang New Oriental Foreign Language Training School

   June 18, 2003    PRC    100 %   Language education

Chongqing New Oriental Training School

   August 15, 2003    PRC    100 %   Language education

Chengdu New Oriental School

   August 18, 2003    PRC    100 %   Language education

 

F - 11


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued

 

 

Name

  

Date of

incorporation

or establishment

  

Place of
incorporation
(or establishment)
/operation

   Percentage
of ownership
   

Principal activity

Subsidiaries of New Oriental China:

          

Xiangfan New Oriental Training School

   October 26, 2004    PRC    100 %   Language education

Changsha Furong District New Oriental Training School

   May 25, 2005    PRC    100 %   Language education

Jinan New Oriental School

   May 31, 2005    PRC    100 %   Language education

Taiyuan Oriental Training School

   April 20, 2005    PRC    100 %   Language education

Ha’er Bin Nangang District Oriental Training School

   May 20, 2005    PRC    100 %   Language education

Changchun Oriental Training School

   July 26, 2005    PRC    100 %   Language education

Hangzhou Oriental Training School

   July 21, 2005    PRC    100 %   Language education

Zhengzhou Oriental Training School

   July 19, 2005    PRC    100 %   Language education

Zhuzhou New Oriental Training School

   April 30, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Shijiazhuang New Oriental Training School

   April 3, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Suzhou New Oriental Training School

   April 26, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Beijing New Oriental International Preparatory School

   June 10, 2005    PRC    100 %   Language education

Anshan New Oriental Training School

   June 13, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Hefei New Oriental Foreign Language Training School

   June 13, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Kunming Xishan New Oriental School

   June 13, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Foshan Chancheng District New Oriental Training School

   July 14, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Wuxi Pop kids English Training centre

   August 14, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Fuzhou Gulou District New Oriental Training School

   September 1, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Beijing New Oriental North Star Training School

   September 26, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Nanchang Donghu District New Oriental Language School

   March 16, 2007    PRC    100 %   Language education

Yichang Wujiagang District Yichang New Oriental School

   January 1, 2006    PRC    100 %   Language education

Jingzhou New Oriental Training School

   April 10, 2007    PRC    100 %   Language education

Dalian New Oriental Training School

   June 12, 2007    PRC    100 %   Language education

Huangshi New Oriental Training School

   March 17, 2008    PRC    100 %   Language education

Ningbo New Oriental School

   April 16, 2008    PRC    100 %   Language education

 

F - 12


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued

 

Name

  

Date of

incorporation
or establishment

  

Place of
incorporation
(or establishment)
/operation

   Percentage
of ownership
   

Principal activity

Subsidiaries of New Oriental China:

          

Lanzhou Chenguan District New Oriental School

   March 19, 2008    PRC    100 %   Language education

Beijing New Oriental Yangzhou Foreign Language School

   June 6, 2002    PRC    100 %   Primary secondary school education

Beijing New Oriental Taixing Foreign Language School

   December 18, 2006    PRC    51 %   Primary secondary school education

Beijing New Oriental Dogwood Cultural Communications Co., Ltd. (“Dogwood Cultural”) (Note (i))

   May 16, 2003    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Beijing New Oriental Dogwood, Bookstore, Audio & Video Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   March 2, 2004    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Chengdu New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore Products Co., Ltd. (“Chengdu Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   January 18, 2004    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Chongqing New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd. (“ Chongqing Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   February 25, 2004    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Shenyang new Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd. (“Shenyang Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   September 18, 2003    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Guangzhou New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd. (“Guangzhou Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   November 11, 2003    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Wuhan New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd. (“Wuhan Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   December 16, 2003    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Xi’an New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd. (Xi’an Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   June 3, 2003    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Shanghai New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   September 28, 2003    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Nanjing New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore Products Co., Ltd. (“Nanjing Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   April 21, 2003    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Tianjin New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Dogwood”) (Note (i))

   December 15, 2003    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued

 

 

Name

  

Date of

incorporation
or establishment

  

Place of
incorporation
(or establishment)
/operation

   Percentage
of ownership
   

Principal activity

Subsidiaries of New Oriental China:

          

Changchun New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd.

   October 8, 2005    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Changsha New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd.

   April 3, 2006    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Ha’er Bin New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd.

   March 13, 2006    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products.

Taiyuan New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd.

   July 12, 2006    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Zhengzhou New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd.

   August 8, 2006    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Hefei Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd.

   November 22, 2006    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Beijing New Oriental Dogwood Culture Communications Co., Ltd. Fuzhou Branch

   December 4, 2006    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Hangzhou Dogwood Bookstore Products Co., Ltd

   July 25, 2007    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Nanchang Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd

   November 14, 2007    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Kunming Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd

   September 21, 2007    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Dalian New Oriental Dogwood Bookstore & Audio-Visual Products Co., Ltd

   March 25, 2008    PRC    100 %   Sales of educational materials and products

Beijing Tomorrow Oriental Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tomorrow Oriental”)

   September 29, 2000    PRC    100 %   Providing technology service

Yangzhou New Oriental Education & Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yangzhou Co.”) (Note (i))

   January 18, 2002    PRC    100 %   Investment holdings

Beijing New Oriental Vision Overseas Consultancy Co., Ltd. (“Vision Overseas”) (Note (i))

   February 19, 2004    PRC    100 %   Consulting

Beijing New Oriental Dogwood Advertisement Co., Ltd. (“Dogwood Advertisement”) (Note (ii))

   January 20, 2004    PRC    100 %   Advertising

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued

 

 

Name

   Date of
incorporation
or establishment
  

Place of
incorporation
(or establishment)
/operation

   Percentage
of ownership
   

Principal activity

Subsidiaries of New Oriental China:

          

Beijing New Oriental Xuncheng Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xuncheng”) (Note (ii))

   March 11, 2005    PRC    100 %   On-line education

Beijing New Oriental Stars Education & Consulting Co., Ltd (“Stars”)

   July 11, 2007    PRC    100 %   Primary secondary school education

Beijing Chao Yang District Kindergarten of Stars (“ChaoYang Kindergarten”)

   September 9, 2007    PRC    100 %   Primary secondary school education

Notes:

 

  (i) Dogwood Cultural, Beijing Dogwood, Chengdu Dogwood, Chongqing Dogwood, Shenyang Dogwood, Guangzhou Dogwood, Wuhan Dogwood, Xi’an Dogwood, Shanghai Dogwood, Nanjing Dogwood, Tianjin Dogwood, Yangzhou Co. and Vision Overseas were established by New Oriental China and their respective nominee owners. Prior to May 31, 2006 and according to the agreement signed between New Oriental China and these nominee owners, investments in the afore-mentioned entities were made out of these nominee owners’ personal funds, and therefore, were reported as minority interest. As of May 31, 2006, these nominee owners had transferred all of their interests in these entities to New Oriental China for an aggregate cash consideration of US$ 255. Accordingly, as of May 31, 2006, these entities became wholly-owned subsidiaries of New Oriental China.

 

  (ii) Dogwood Advertisement and Xuncheng were established by New Oriental China and their respective nominee owners. Prior to May 31, 2007 and according to the agreement signed between New Oriental China and these nominee owners, these nominee owners do not have any controlling or financial interest in these two entities, including no rights to receive dividends or other distributions, no voting rights, and no other rights or benefits associated with their ownership interest. In December 2007, these nominee owners had transferred all of their interests in these entities to New Oriental China for cash considerations of US$14. Accordingly, as of May 31, 2008, these two entities became wholly-owned subsidiaries of New Oriental China.

 

  (iii) In 2000, the Group established Liandong Weiye and held a 96.2% ownership interest in Liandong Weiye prior to March 31, 2005. During March 2005, the Group discontinued operating Liandong Weiye’s business and sold 56.2% of Liandong Weiye’s assets to one of the Group’s directors followed by the transfer of the remaining 40% of assets to an affiliate in August 2005 (see Note 3, Discontinued Operation).

 

F - 15


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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued

 

Regulations of the PRC restrict direct foreign ownership of business entities providing educational services in the PRC where certain licenses are required. To comply with the PRC laws and regulations, the Company provides a significant portion of its services in China through its variable interest entity, New Oriental China, for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries in China, has entered into exclusive technical and other services agreements with New Oriental China in April 2005, under which the Company provides technical and other services (the “Service Agreements”) to New Oriental China and its subsidiaries in exchange for significantly all of the net income of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries. As a collateral to ensure New Oriental China and its subsidiaries’ payments under the Service Agreements, the shareholders of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, through an equity pledge agreement dated April 2005, pledged all of their rights and interests in New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, including voting rights and dividend rights, to the Company. In addition, the shareholders of New Oriental China, through an exclusive option agreement, granted to the Company an exclusive, irrevocable and unconditional right to purchase part or all of the equity interests in New Oriental China and its subsidiaries when the purchase becomes permissible under the relevant PRC Law.

Through the contractual agreements described above, New Oriental China is a variable interest entity in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46 (revised) “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—an Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46R”) because the equity owners (1) lack the right to receive the expected residual returns of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries, (2) lack the ability to make decisions about New Oriental China and its subsidiaries’ activities that have a significant effect on their success, and (3) substantially all of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries’ businesses are conducted on behalf of the Company. The Company is the primary beneficiary of New Oriental China because it holds all the variable interests in New Oriental China. As a result, the accounts and operations of New Oriental China and its subsidiaries are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements effective as of the date of the above agreements. Because the Company and New Oriental China are under common control by the same shareholder group, New Oriental China and its subsidiaries are accounted for as common control transfer and are consolidated on a carryover basis.

As of May 31, 2007 and 2008, total assets of New Oriental China included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements were approximately US$155 and US$222 million, respectively. The associated liabilities were approximately US$102 and US$138 million, respectively. Revenue of New Oriental China for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were US$94,241, US$131,978, and US$199,434, respectively. New Oriental China’s net income included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations totaled US$511, US$10,451, and US$13,478, during 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its majority owned subsidiaries and its variable interest entity, New Oriental China and its subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenue and expenses in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Group’s consolidated financial statements include the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, collectibility of accounts receivable and other current assets, useful lives and impairment of property and equipment, impairment of trademark and fair value of share options. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use, and which have remaining maturities of three months or less when purchased.

Term deposits

Term deposits consist of deposits placed with financial institutions with remaining maturities of greater than three months and less than one year.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash represents RMB deposits in bank accounts used as deposits for obtaining certain licenses to conduct overseas studying consulting services business.

 

F - 17


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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable mainly represent the amounts due from the customers of the Group’s various subsidiaries other than the school subsidiaries. The Group provides an allowance for doubtful accounts equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts. The Group’s estimates are based on historical collection experience and a review of the current status of accounts receivable and advances to suppliers. It is reasonably possible that the Group’s estimate of the allowances for doubtful accounts will change. Accounts receivable and advances to suppliers are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (average weighted method) or market value.

Land use rights, net

Land use rights are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives which are generally 50 years and represent the shorter of the estimated usage periods or the terms of the agreements.

Property and equipment, net

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

 

Buildings

   50 years

Transportation equipment

   10 years

Furniture and education equipment

   5 years

Computer equipment and software

   3 years

Leasehold improvements

   Shorter of the lease terms or estimated useful lives

Construction in progress

The Group constructs certain of its property and equipment. In addition to cost under the construction contracts, interest cost and external costs directly related to the construction of such facilities, including equipment installation and shipping costs, are capitalized. Depreciation is recorded at the time assets are ready for the intended use.

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

 

Capitalization of interest

Interest cost incurred on borrowings used to construct property and equipment during the active construction period is capitalized. The interest capitalized is determined by applying the borrowing interest rate to the average amount of accumulated capital expenditures for the assets under construction during the period. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the underlying assets and is amortized over the useful lives of the assets when the construction was completed and the related assets were ready for their intended use.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Group reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Group measures impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the assets. The Group did not incur impairment losses during the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Trademark

Trademark has an indefinite life and is not amortized but is evaluated annually for impairment following a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including trademark. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, trademark is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of trademark to the carrying value of a reporting unit’s trademark. The implied fair value of trademark is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of trademark. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of trademark over the implied fair value of trademark.

Management performed the annual trademark impairment test as of May 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 and no impairment losses were recorded. The fair values of the reporting units were established using a combination of expected present value of future cash flow and income approach valuation methodology.

There had been no changes in the carrying amount of trademark during the years ended May 31, 2007 and 2008 and the balance was not allocated to reportable segment but was included in unallocated corporate assets.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

 

Long-term investments

For investments in an investee over which the Company does not have significant influence, the Company carries the investment at cost and only adjusted for other-than-temporary declines in fair value and distributions of earnings. The management regularly evaluates the impairment of the cost method investment based on performance and the financial position of the investee as well as other evidence of market value. Such evaluation includes, but is not limited to, reviewing the investee’s cash position, recent financings, projected and historical financial performance, cash flow forecasts and financing needs. An impairment loss is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the investment’s cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment is made. The fair value of the investment would then become the new cost basis of the investment. The Group did not incur impairment losses relating to long term investments during the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when earned and is reported net of business taxes, scholarships, and refunds. Business tax amounted to US$2,917, US$4,428 and US$6,188 for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. The primary sources of the Company’s revenues are as follows:

 

  (a) Educational programs and services

The educational programs and services consist of language training and test preparation courses. Tuition is generally paid in advance and is initially recorded as deferred revenue. Tuition revenue for educational programs and services is recognized proportionately as the instructions are delivered, and is reported net of scholarships, business taxes and related surcharges, and tuition refunds. Students are entitled to a short term course trial period which commences on the date the course begins. Tuition refunds are provided to students if they decide within the trial period that they no longer want to take the course. Tuition refunds have been insignificant in fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008. After the trial period, if a student withdraws from a class, usually no refunds will be provided and any collected but unearned portion of the fee is recognized at that time.

The Group also sells online-learning cards primarily to distributors. Online-learning card sales represent prepaid service fees received from students for e-learning services. The prepaid service fee is recorded as deferred revenue upon receiving the upfront payment. Revenue is recognized upon actual usage of the cards by the students based on the number of minutes the students use the e-learning services. Upon the expiration of the online-learning card, which ranges from six months to one year from the date of the sale of the online-learning cards, the Group will recognize the remaining unused minutes as revenue.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

 

Revenue recognition - continued

 

  (b) Books and others

The Group sells educational books or other educational materials either through its own book stores or websites or through third party distributors. Revenue from sales made through the Group’s book stores is recognized upon sales to customers. Revenue for distributors is recognized once the products are sold to the end customers.

The Group also provides overseas studies consulting services to students. The Group charges each student a fee based on the scope of the consulting services requested by the student and recognizes revenue as the services are delivered.

Operating leases

Leases where substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life.

Advertising costs

The Group expenses advertising costs as incurred. Total advertising expenses were US$2,149, US$3,727 and US$6,010 for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, and have been included as part of selling and marketing expenses.

Government subsidies

The Group reports government subsidies as miscellaneous income when received from local government authority and are not subject to future return or reimbursement. Government subsidies received totaled US$45, US$58 and US$ nil for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007, 2008, respectively.

 

F - 21


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

 

Foreign currency translation

Effective December 1, 2007, the Group changed its reporting currency from Renminbi (“RMB”) to United States dollars (“U.S. dollars”). Assets and liabilities are translated from each subsidiary’s functional currency at the exchange rates on the balance sheet date, equity amounts are translated at historical exchange rates, and revenues, expenses, gains, and losses are translated using the average rate for the year. Prior to December 1, 2007, the Company reported its consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and shareholders’ equity and cash flows in RMB. The related financial statements and corresponding notes prior to December 1, 2007 have been restated to reflect U.S. dollars (“US$”) as the reporting currency for comparison to the financial results for the year ended May 31, 2008. The change in reporting currency is to better reflect the Company’s performance and to improve investors’ ability to compare the Company’s financial results with other publicly traded companies in the education industry and to simplify the Group’s earnings release presentation.

The functional currency of the Group excluding the Company and subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Canada is RMB. The functional currency of the Company and subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Canada is US$. Transactions in other currencies are recorded in each relevant entity’s functional currency at the rates of exchange prevailing when the transactions occur. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the applicable functional currencies are translated into the applicable functional currencies at the prevailing rates of exchange on the balance sheet date. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into the applicable functional currencies at historical exchange rates. Transactions in currencies other than the applicable functional currencies during the year are converted into the applicable functional currencies at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Transaction gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign currency risk

The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the People’s Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into other currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and term deposits of the Group included aggregate amounts of US$58,896 and US$125,157 at May 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively, which were denominated in RMB.

Fair value of financial instruments

The Group’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, accounts receivable, amounts due from/to related parties, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, accounts receivable and amount due to related parties approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The fair value of amounts due from related parties, determined based on the present value using applicable discount rate, approximates the carrying value.

 

F - 22


Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

 

Net income per share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing income attributable to holders of common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common shares were exercised into common shares. Common share equivalents are excluded from the computation of the diluted net income per share in years when their effect would be anti-dilutive.

As a result of the recapitalization relating to the incorporation of the Company during the year ended May 31, 2005 (Note 1), the outstanding common shares have been retroactively restated to 100,000,000 shares in the denominator for the year ended May 31, 2005.

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net of operating loss carry forwards and credits, by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-An Interpretation of FASB Statement No.109 (FIN No. 48), which clarifies the accounting and disclosure for uncertainty in tax positions, as defined in that statement. FIN No. 48 prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods and income tax disclosures. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with early adoption permitted. The Group adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48 on June 1, 2007

Comprehensive income

Comprehensive income includes net income and foreign currency translation adjustments. Comprehensive income is reported as a component of the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

 

Share-based compensation

The Group has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-based Payment” from its inception, which requires that share-based payment transactions with employees, such as share options, be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instrument issued and recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period, with a corresponding addition to paid-in capital. Under this method, compensation cost related to employee share options or similar equity instruments is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which generally is the vesting period.

Share awards issued to non-employees are measured at fair value at the earlier of the commitment date or the date the services is completed and recognized over the period the service is provided or as goods are received. The Group uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the value of options granted to non-employees and employees at each measurement date.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, and accounts receivable. As of May 31, 2008, substantially all of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, and restricted cash were managed by financial institutions with high-credit ratings and quality. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenues earned from customers in PRC. The risk with respect to accounts receivables is mitigated by credit evaluations we perform on the Company’s customers and ongoing monitoring process on outstanding balances. The Group did not have any customers constituting 10% or more of the consolidated net revenues and accounts receivable in fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 157 does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” delays the effective date of Statement 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

 

Recently issued accounting pronouncements - continued

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”. SFAS No. 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS No. 159 requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of the company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which a company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. The Group does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combination”. This standard replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combination”. The standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations with acquisition dates on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply SFAS No. 141R before that date. The Group is currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS No. 141R will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” to improves the relevance, comparability, and transparency of financial information provided to investors by requiring all entities to report non-controlling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way as required in the consolidated financial statements. Moreover, SFAS No. 160 eliminates the diversity that currently exists in accounting for transactions between an entity and non-controlling interests by requiring they be treated as equity transaction. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The Group is currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2008, The FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. The new standard is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The Group has not yet begun the process of assessing the potential impact of the adoption of FASB No. 161 may have on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

3. DISCONTINUED OPERATION

During fiscal year 2005, the Group decided to exit its operation in the wireless application protocol business and accounted for it as a discontinued operation. As part of the exit strategy, the Group sold its 96.2%-owned subsidiary, Liandong Weiye, in two separate transactions.

In the first transaction which closed in March 2005, the Group sold 56.2% of Liandong Weiye’s net assets to Mr. Qian Yongqiang (“Mr. Qian”), a member of the board of directors of the Group, for a cash consideration of US$619 which represented the book value of the net assets disposed. This price was determined based on the Group’s extensive negotiations with Mr. Qian and was approved by all other members of the Group’s board of directors. Accordingly, no gain or loss was recorded on the transaction. The second transaction was closed in August 2005 where the Group transferred the remaining 40% of the net assets in Liandong Weiye to an affiliated entity non-pro rata owned by the same shareholders of the Group for no consideration. The transaction was recorded as a transfer of assets to owners on a non-pro rata basis. The Group recorded a non-pro-rata distribution of US$3,132 which reflects the fair value of the remaining net assets in Liandong Weiye and was recorded as a reduction of retained earnings.

There were no remaining assets or liabilities associated with discontinued operation in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at May 31, 2007 and 2008. Summarized operating results reported as discontinued operation in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations were as follows for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008:

 

     Years ended May 31,
   2006     2007    2008
   US$     US$    US$

Revenues

   5,379     —      —  
               

Pre-tax profit from discontinued operation

   1,385     —      —  

Provision for income taxes

   (208 )   —      —  
               

Income from discontinued operation, net of taxes

   1,177     —      —  
               

The operating results from the discontinued operation reflected 100% of Liandong Weiye’s operations during 2004, 100% of Liandong Weiye’s operation for the three months from January to March of 2005, and 40% of Liandong Weiye’s operation from April through the end of August 2005, reflecting the Group’s disposal of 56.2 % of Liandong Weiye’s net assets in March 2005.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

4. BAD DEBT ALLOWANCE

Changes in the allowance for accounts receivable were as follows:

 

     As of May 31,
     2007    2008
     US$    US$

Beginning balance

   —      44

Provision for doubtful accounts

   44    44
         

Ending balance

   44    88
         

 

5. INVENTORY

Inventory consisted of the following:

 

     As of May 31,
     2007    2008
     US$    US$

Course materials

   2,229    3,633

Publication

   4,179    7,060
         
   6,408    10,693
         

A valuation allowance was not considered necessary because inventory was written down to the lower market value at May 31, 2007 and 2008. Amounts written off during fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008 were US$328, US$nil, and US$nil, respectively.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

6. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

 

     As of May 31,
   2007    2008
   US$    US$

Advances to suppliers

   918    2,614

Prepaid advertising fees

   93    416

Prepaid rent

   2,084    4,481

Rental deposit

   1,209    2,467

Staff advances

   644    1,115

Value added taxes recoverable

   585    912

Refundable deposit for school construction

   61    44

Prepaid house property taxes and other taxes

   94    58

Others

   590    1,103
         
   6,278    13,210

Less: allowance for uncollectible advances to a supplier

   116    195
         
   6,162    13,015
         

Staff advances represented travel and the related expenses to be charged to expenses when expense reports are submitted. Others primarily included insurance fees, recruiting fees, maintenance fees, and other miscellaneous prepayments.

Changes in the allowance for advances to a supplier were as follows:

 

     As of May 31,
   2007    2008
   US$    US$

Beginning balance

   —      116

Provision for doubtful accounts

   116    79
         

Ending balance

   116    195
         

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

7. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

 

     As of May 31,  
   2007     2008  
   US$     US$  

Buildings

   77,865     85,700  

Transportation equipment

   3,457     4,636  

Furniture and education equipment

   14,021     18,090  

Computer equipment and software

   4,730     6,202  

Leasehold improvements

   8,524     15,150  
            
   108,597     129,778  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

   (18,022 )   (26,680 )
            
   90,575     103,098  
            

For the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, depreciation and amortization expenses were US$5,064, US$6,925 and US$7,727, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense included in income from continuing operations was US$5,054, US$6,925 and US$7,727 for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, and that included in income from discontinued operations was US$10, US$ nil and US$ nil for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Interest of US$531 in fiscal year 2006 was capitalized as part of the cost of the underlying assets during the year and is being amortized over the useful life of the assets when the construction was completed and the related assets were ready for their intended use.

The construction of property and equipment of the Group was completed in fiscal year 2006, and therefore no interest was capitalized during fiscal years 2007 and 2008. During 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Group recorded amortization expenses relating to the capitalized interest totaling US$15, US$21 and US$23, respectively.

 

8. LAND USE RIGHTS, NET

Land use rights, net consisted of the following:

 

     May 31,  
   2007     2008  
   US$     US$  

Land use rights

   3,593     3,923  

Less: accumulated amortization

   (338 )   (414 )
            

Land use rights, net

   3,255     3,509  
            

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

8. LAND USE RIGHTS, NET - continued

 

Amortization expenses for land use rights totaled US$68, US$70, and US$76 for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. Future amortization expenses are US$76 per year for each of the next five years through May 31, 2013.

 

9. LONG TERM INVESTMENT

In December 2006, the Company acquired 20% interest in Talent Boom Group Ltd (“Talent Boom”). Since the Company has no representation on Talent Boom’s board of directors, the Company’s management concluded that the Company could not exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of Talent Boom. Accordingly, cost method is used to account for the investment.

 

10. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

 

     As of May 31,
   2007    2008
   US$    US$

Rent payable

   501    473

Accrued payroll

   7,515    11,670

Payable for acquired equipment

   2,067    2,269

Business taxes payable

   1,110    2,115

Individual taxes withholding

   1,400    3,828

Value added taxes payable

   124    —  

Other taxes payable

   214    205

Welfare payable

   971    982

Royalty fees payable

   360    298

Refundable incidental expenses received from students

   702    576

Refundable deposit

   181    555

Accrued professional service fees

   1,161    874

Accrued advertising fees

   470    231

Amounts reimbursable to employees

   474    1,504

Shares repurchase payable

   —      1,935

Others

   709    1,364
         

Total

   17,959    28,879
         

Royalty fees payable related to payments to content providers for on-line education. Amounts reimbursable to employees included traveling and the related expenses incurred by employee on behalf of the Group. Others primarily included transportation expenses, utility fees, property management fees, and other miscellaneous expenses payable. Refundable deposits represent student deposits for dormitory or other fees that will be refunded upon graduation.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

11. DIVIDENDS PAYABLE

As of May 31, 2006, the Group declared dividends to its common shareholders in the amount of $8,040, which was fully paid during fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. The Group did not declare dividends in fiscal years 2007 and 2008.

 

12. CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES

On December 24, 2004, the Company issued 11,111,111 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares at US$2.025 per share for a total cash proceed of US$22,102, net of issuance costs of US$398.

The Group has determined that there was no embedded beneficial conversion feature attributable to the Series A Convertible Preferred Shares both at the commitment date and in subsequent periods because the Series A conversion price equaled to the issuance price.

All of the outstanding 11,111,111 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares were converted into common shares upon the completion of the Group's IPO in September 2006.

The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to and imposed on the Series A Convertible Preferred Shares were set forth below.

Dividend provisions

Prior to March 31, 2005, the Company could declare and pay dividends at any time to the holders of common shares in an aggregate amount not to exceed RMB40,000,000, in which the holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares were not eligible to participate. Effective on March 31, 2005, any dividends or distributions would be distributed among all holders of common shares and Series A preferred shares in proportion to the number of common shares as if all Series A convertible preferred shares were converted to common shares at the then effective conversion rate.

Liquidation preference

In the event of a liquidation, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares would be entitled to receive, prior to and in preference of the holders of common shares, an amount that equaled to the original issuance price of US$2.025 per share plus declared but unpaid dividends.

Conversion

Right to Convert. Each Series A Preferred Share was convertible at the option of the holder at any time after the original issuance date at the conversion price in effect on the date the conversion. The initial conversion price per share for each Series A Preferred Shares was the original issue price.

Automatic Conversion. Each preferred share would be automatically converted into common shares at the conversion price in effect upon the earlier of a qualified IPO or upon a written consent of a majority of the Series A Preferred shareholders.

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

12. CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES - continued

Voting rights

Each holder of Series A Preferred Shares had the right to one vote for each common share the Series A convertible preferred shares would be converted into. All Series A shareholders, were entitled to the same voting rights as the holders of Common Shares.

 

13. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes information regarding restricted shares, share options and NES:

 

Grant date

   Total restricted
shares issued to date
   Fair value of
common shares
   Exercise
price
   Intrinsic
value
          US$    US$    US$

Restricted shares:

           

January 1, 2003

   1,450,000    0.75    0.12    0.63

May 1, 2003

   500,000    0.83    —      0.83

November 1, 2003

   790,000    0.82    —      0.82

March 1, 2004

   1,137,500    1.06    0.24    0.82

April 1, 2004

   550,000    1.06    0.24    0.82

August 1, 2005

   1,955,100    1.80    0.25    1.55

August 1, 2005

   110,000    1.80    —      1.80

April 26, 2006

   2,507,400    2.09    0.50    1.59
             

Total

   9,000,000         
             

Shares options:

           

February 28, 2006

   7,099,500    1.00    2.02    —  

July 21, 2006

   1,620,000    1.15    2.38    —  

September 7, 2006

   100,000    5.41    3.75    1.66

March 5, 2007

   3,946,500    8.74    8.75    —  
             

Total

   12,766,000         
             

NES:

           

January 24, 2008

   2,720,000    12.75    —      12.75

March 11, 2008

   152,000    14.00    —      14.00
             

Total

   2,872,000         
             

 

The fair values of the common shares underlying the options and restricted shares were determined by using generally accepted valuation methodologies, including the discounted cash flow method.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

13. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued

 

Restricted shares

In 2002, the Group appointed Beijing Beizhi Culture and Education Co., Ltd., or Beijing Beizhi, a PRC company, as a nominee shareholder of 9,000,000 authorized common shares on the Group's behalf. In fiscal year 2005, 1,324,778 restricted shares were released into unrestricted common shares upon the Group's recapitalization. During 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, New Oriental China, through Beijing Beizhi, issued 1,950,000, 2,477,500,nil and 4,572,500 fully vested restricted shares to certain employees, directors, consultants and other individuals. Accordingly, the Group recorded compensation expense of US$7,158 in the year ended May 31, 2006, which represented the difference between the fair value of the common shares and their exercise price on the grant date. There were no issuance of restricted shares during the fiscal years 2005 and 2007. As of both May 31, 2005 and 2006, there were 7,675,222 restricted shares outstanding. These shares were subject to transfer restrictions and did not have any voting rights. Immediately upon the completion of the Group's IPO in September 2006, the restrictions on these restricted shares automatically terminated and there were no remaining restricted shares as of May 31, 2007.

2006 Share Incentive Plan

On January 20, 2006, the Company adopted 2006 Share Incentive Plan, under which the Company may grant options to purchase up to 8,000,000 common shares of the Group, to its employees, directors and consultants. The number common shares available for grant under the 2006 Share Incentive Plan may be increased annually by (i) an additional 5,000,000 shares on January 1, 2007, (ii) an additional 5,000,000 shares on January 1, 2008, and (iii) an annual increase in common shares to be added on the first business day of each calendar year beginning in 2009 equal to the lesser of (x) 3,000,000 shares, (y) two percent (2%) of total common shares outstanding as of such date, or (z) a lesser number of shares as determined by the Group's management. In the event the aggregate number of shares that may be issued in any given year under all share compensation plans has reached the maximum number of shares allowed in that year, the Company may grant additional awards up to 2,000,000 shares, or extra shares. The number of shares granted in excess of the annual maximum in any given year will result in the reduction of the maximum shares available for grant in the next year.

The exercise or purchase price of options is at least 100% of the fair value of the common shares on the date of the grant. The term of an option is up to ten years from the date of grant. The options generally vest over three years at six-month vesting increments per year.

As of May 31, 2008, options to purchase 7,555,681 common shares and 1,909,624 NES were outstanding. Options and NES to purchase 4,334,951 common shares were available for future grant.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

13. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued

 

2006 Share Incentive Plan - continued

A summary of option activity under 2006 Share Incentive Plan as of May 31, 2007 and 2008 was as follows:

 

     Number of
options
    Weighted
average
exercise prices
   Weighted average
remaining
contractual life
   Aggregated
intrinsic value
           US$         US$

Options outstanding at June 1, 2005

   —       —      —      —  

Granted

   7,099,500     2.02      

Options outstanding at May 31, 2006

   7,099,500     2.02    9.74 years    497
                  

Options outstanding at June 1, 2006

   7,099,500     2.02      

Granted

   5,666,500     6.84      

Exercised

   (1,053,356 )   2.34      

Forfeited

   (344,521 )   3.06      
                

Options outstanding at May 31, 2007

   11,368,123     5.74    9.14 years    83,753
                  

Options exercisable at May 31, 2007

   2,787,864     2.10    8.77 years    26,864
                  

Options outstanding at June 1, 2007

   11,368,123     5.74      

Exercised

   (2,946,056 )   2.96      

Forfeited

   (866,386 )   4.80      
                

Options outstanding at May 31, 2008

   7,555,681     6.93    8.20 years    87,381
                  

Options exercisable at May 31, 2008

   2,413,952     4.37    8.10 years    29,137
                  

The weighted average grant date fair values of options granted during the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 was US$1, US$6.51 and nil, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended May 31, 2007 and 2008 was $10,024 and $38,914, respectively. No option was vested or exercised during 2006.

The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions.

 

     2006     2007  

Weighted average risk-free rate of return

   3.82 %   3.86 %

Weighted average expected option life (year)

   3.25     4.18  

Weighted average volatility rate

   50.5 %   50.5 %

Weighted average dividend yield

   —       —    

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

13. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued

 

2006 Share Incentive Plan - continued

 

  (a) Volatility

Volatility of the underlying ordinary shares during the life of the options was estimated based on the historical stock price volatility of listed comparable companies over a period similar to the expected term of the options.

 

  (b) Risk-free interest rate
 

Risk-free interest rate was estimated based on the yield to maturity of China international government bonds with a maturity period close to the expected term of the options.

 

  (c) Expected term

As the Company did not have historical share option exercise experience, it estimated the expected term as the average between the vesting term of the options and the original contractual term.

 

  (d) Dividend yield

The dividend yield was estimated by the Company based on its expected dividend policy over the expected term of the employee share options.

 

  (e) Exercise price

The exercise price of the employee share options was determined by the Company’s board of directors.

 

  (f) Fair value of underlying ordinary shares

The estimated fair value of the ordinary shares underlying the options as of the respective grant dates was determined based on a retrospective valuation. When estimating the fair value of the ordinary shares on the grant dates before the IPO of the Company, management has considered a number of factors and taken into account standard valuation methods and the achievement of certain events. After the IPO, the closing market price of ordinary shares of the Company as of grant date is used as the fair value of the ordinary shares on that date.

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007

(in thousands, except share-related data)

 

13. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued

 

2006 Share Incentive Plan - continued

 

The Company recorded share-based compensation of US$7,909, US$4,647 and US$8,742 during the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.

As of May 31, 2008, there was US$10,209 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested share-based compensation arrangement under the 2006 Share Incentive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.56 years.

NES

In January 2008, the Company granted 2,720,000 NES to employees (including an independent non-executive director) for free under 2006 Share Incentive Plan: Among 2,720,000 NES granted, 2,680,000 NES will become vested starting from February 2008 thereafter until August 2012. 20,000 NES will be vested in six equal batches every six months since February 2008 thereafter until August 2010 and the remaining 20,000 NES will be vested in four equal batches every six months since February 2008 thereafter until August 2009.

In March 2008, the Company granted 152,000 NES to employees which will become vested on April 20, 2009.

The grant date fair value of NES was measured at the quoted market price of the company’s equity shares.

A summary of the status of the NES as of May 31, 2008, and changes during the year ended May 31, 2008 was presented below.

 

     Exercise
Shares
    Weighted-
average
grant date
price
   Weighted-
average
intrinsic
fair value

At beginning of fiscal year 2008

   —         

Granted

   2,872,000     —      12.82

Vested

   (200,332 )   —      12.75

Forfeited

   (762,044 )   —      12.75
               

At end of fiscal year 2008

   1,909,624     —      12.85
               

As of May 31, 2008, there was US$22,392 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to NES arrangements granted under the 2006 Share Incentive Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.86 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended May 31, 208 was US$ 2,554.

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2006 AND 2007

(in thousands, except share-related data)

 

14. INCOME TAXES

 

Significant components of provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were as follows:

 

     Years ended May 31,  
     2006     2007     2008  
     US$     US$     US$  

Current:

      

PRC

   1,985     2,231     3,839  
                  

Deferred:

      

PRC

   (276 )   (401 )   (195 )
                  

Total provision for income taxes

   1,709     1,830     3,644  
                  

The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to income or capital gains taxes. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to tax withholding in the Cayman Islands.

The subsidiaries of New Oriental China, which were registered as private schools (the “school-subsidiaries”), are subject to income taxes determined in accordance with The Law for Promoting Private Education (2003) where those school-subsidiaries registered as private schools not requiring reasonable returns (similar to a not-for-profit entity) are treated as public schools and are generally not subject to enterprise income taxes. School-subsidiaries that were registered as requiring reasonable returns (similar to a for-profit entity) are subject to enterprise income taxes but may be eligible for preferential tax treatment to be determined by the relevant taxing authorities. In certain cities, schools that were registered as requiring reasonable returns are subject to a 33% standard enterprise income tax, while in other cities, similar schools are subject to a 1.5% to 3.3% tax on gross receipts in lieu of the 33% standard enterprise income tax or exempted from the enterprise income tax. The subsidiaries of New Oriental China other than its school-subsidiaries are subjected the 33% standard enterprise income tax. On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress adopted the Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “New EIT Law”), which became effective on January 1, 2008 and replaced the existing separate income tax laws for domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises. In certain cities, schools that were registered as requiring reasonable returns are subject to a 25% standard enterprise income tax, while in other cities, similar schools are subject to a 1.8% to 3% tax on gross receipts in lieu of the 25% standard enterprise income tax or exempted from the enterprise income tax. The subsidiaries of New Oriental China other than its school-subsidiaries are subjected the 25% standard enterprise income tax.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

14. INCOME TAXES - continued

 

New Oriental China and the three wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company in the PRC have each been certified as “new or high-technology enterprise” located in a high-tech zone in Beijing. As a result, each of them is entitled to a three-year exemption from enterprise income tax beginning from its first year of operation, a 7.5% enterprise income tax rate for another three years followed by a 15% tax rate so long as it continues to qualify as a “new or high-technology enterprise.” New Oriental China was exempted from enterprise income tax in 2002 to 2004 and was subject to a 7.5% enterprise income tax from 2005 to 2007, and will be subject to a 15% enterprise income tax after 2007 as long as it continues to qualify as a “new or high-technology enterprise.” Under New EIT Law, new and high technology enterprises are required to re-apply for such status in order to be subject to 15% preferential tax rate. If New Oriental China and the three wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company lose the qualification, it should be levied on a rate of 25% from 2008.

The Group uses the liability method to account for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Group’s deferred tax assets and liabilities arising from continuing operations were as follows as:

 

     As of May 31,  
     2007     2008  
     US$     US$  

Current deferred tax assets

    

Bad debt provision

   40     70  

Accrued expenses

   505     448  
            

Total current deferred tax assets

   545     518  

Less: valuation allowance

   (545 )   (160 )
            

Current deferred tax assets, net

   —       358  
            

Non-current deferred tax assets

    

Net operating loss carry-forwards

   1,441     1,779  

Pre-operating expenses

   96     84  
            

Total non-current deferred tax assets

   1,537     1,863  

Less: valuation allowance

   (446 )   (822 )
            

Non-current deferred tax assets, net

   1,091     1,041  
            

 

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Table of Contents

NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

14. INCOME TAXES - continued

 

The Group operates through multiple subsidiaries and a variable interest entity. The Group does not file combined or consolidated tax returns, therefore, losses from individual subsidiaries or the variable interest entity may not be used to offset other subsidiaries’ earnings within the Group. Valuation allowance is considered on each individual subsidiary and variable interest entity basis. Where a valuation allowance was not recorded, the Group believes that it was more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized as it expects to generate sufficient taxable income in the future. The net deferred tax assets represent the tax effect of temporary differences arising from the net operating loss carry forward, pre-operating expenses, bad debt allowance and certain accrued expenses available for certain subsidiaries of the Company to offset against future profits over a period of five years through 2008.

The Group had net operating loss carried forward of US$12,842 from certain subsidiaries of New oriental China for the year ended May 31, 2008 which will expire on various dates from May 31, 2010 to May 31, 2013.

The Group did not have any temporary differences relating to deferred tax liabilities as of May 31, 2007 and 2008.

The decrease in valuation allowance from 2007 to 2008 was primarily due to the reversal of valuation allowance arising from change of tax status in certain subsidiary and net operating loss carry forwards that the Group’s management believes are realizable in the near future.

A reconciliation of the effective tax rates applicable to income from continuing operations from the 33% and 25% statutory tax rates was as follows for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008:

 

     Years ended May 31,  
     2006     2007     2008  
     %     %     %  

Statutory tax rate

   33.00     33.00     25.00  

Permanent differences

   53.36     13.58     6.58  

Tax effect of income taxed at different rates

   (34.27 )   (1.57 )   (5.41 )

Effect of tax exemption granted to PRC subsidiaries

   (38.32 )   (36.91 )   (19.89 )

Effect on income taxes due to changes in tax rates under the new law for certain subsidiaries

   —       1.25     0.68  

Changes in valuation allowance

   12.14     (3.31 )   (0.02 )
                  

Total provision for income taxes

   25.91     6.04     6.94  
                  

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

14. INCOME TAXES - continued

 

If the tax holidays granted to New Oriental China, Beijing Decision, Beijing Judgment, Beijing Hewstone and certain school-subsidiaries of New Oriental China were not available, provision for income taxes and earnings per share for continuing operations would be as follows:

 

     For the years ended May 31,
     2006     2007    2008
     US$     US$    US$

Provision for income taxes

   4,353     10,514    15,468
               

Net income per share - basic

       

Income from continuing operations

   0.02     0.13    0.22

Income on discontinued operation, net of taxes

   0.01     —      —  

Dividend in kind

   (0.03 )   —      —  
               

Total

   —       0.13    0.22
               

Net income per share - diluted

       

Income from continuing operations

   0.02     0.13    0.21

Income on discontinued operation, net of taxes

   0.01     —      —  

Dividend in kind

   (0.03 )   —      —  
               

Total

   —       0.13    0.21
               

Under the New Income Tax Law effective from January 1, 2008, the rules for determining whether an entity is resident in the PRC for tax purposes have changed and the determination of residence depends among other things on the “place of actual management”. If the Group, or its non-PRC subsidiaries, were to be determined as PRC resident for tax purposes it, or they, would be liable for tax in the PRC on worldwide income including the income arising in jurisdictions outside the PRC. The Group is evaluating its resident status under the new law and related guidance.

If the Company were to be a non-resident for PRC tax purposes, dividends paid to it out of profits earned after January 1, 2008 would be subject to a withholding tax. In the case of dividends paid by PRC subsidiaries to their foreign investors, the withholding tax would be 10%, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement.

Aggregate undistributed earnings of the Company’s subsidiaries located in the PRC that are available for distribution to the Group of approximately US$34,690 at May 31, 2008 are considered to be indefinitely reinvested under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 23 “Accounting for Income Taxes - Special Areas” and accordingly, no provision has been made for the Chinese dividend withholding taxes that would be payable upon the distribution of those amounts to the Group. The Chinese tax authorities have also clarified that distributions made out of pre January 1, 2008 retained earnings will not be subject to the withholding tax.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

14. INCOME TAXES - continued

 

The Group does not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on its ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. It intends to retain most of its available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of its business. As of May 31, 2008, the Group has not declared any dividends.

The Group adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on June 1, 2007. No unrecognized tax benefits are identified. Accordingly, the Group recorded no adjustment to retained earnings. The Group expects that the changes in the unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months would not be material.

The Group did not recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. No interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in the statements of financial position and the statements of operation.

Subsidiaries and variable interest entity of the Company and the subsidiaries of the variable interest entity are subject to taxation in China. Their tax years from 2001 to 2008 are subject to examination by the tax authorities.

 

15. NET INCOME PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share for the periods indicated:

 

     Years ended May 31,
     2006     2007    2008
     US$     US$    US$

Numerator used in basic and diluted net income per share:

       

Income from continuing operations

   4,884     28,599    49,013

Income on discontinued operation, net of taxes

   1,177     —      —  

Non-pro-rata distribution

   (3,132 )   —      —  
               

Net income available for future distribution

   2,929     28,599    49,013
               

Shares (denominator):

       

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic net income per share

   100,000,000     134,218,191    149,992,200
               

Plus weighted average Series A convertible preferred shares outstanding

   11,111,111     2,983,257    —  

Plus incremental weighted average common shares from assumed conversion of share options using the treasury stock method

   —       4,892,346    6,456,901
               

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing diluted net income per share

   111,111,111     142,093,794    156,449,101
               

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

15. NET INCOME PER SHARE - continued

 

     Years ended May 31,
     2006     2007    2008
     US$     US$    US$

Net income per share - basic:

       

Income from continuing operations

   0.05     0.21    0.33

Income on discontinued operation, net of taxes

   0.01     —      —  

Non-pro-rata distribution

   (0.03 )   —      —  
               

Net income available for future distribution

   0.03     0.21    0.33
               

Net income per share - diluted:

       

Income from continuing operations

   0.04     0.20    0.31

Income from discontinued operation, net of taxes

   0.01     —      —  

Non-pro-rata distribution

   (0.03 )   —      —  
               

Net income available for future distribution

   0.02     0.20    0.31
               

Actual common shares issued and upon exercises of options are included when calculating weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic net income per share.

In February and October 2007, the Company transferred 4,000,000 and 2,000,000 common shares respectively to its depositary bank representing 1,500,000 ADSs to be issued to employees and non-employees upon the exercise of their vested share options. As of May 31, 2008, 3,999,412 shares out of these 6,000,000 shares had been issued to the employees and non-employees upon exercise of their share options and 200,332 NES had been issued to employees upon vesting of their shares. 1,800,256 share option and NES to purchase remained available for future issuances. As a result, 1,800,256 common shares were excluded in computing basic net income per share.

 

16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

The Group had the following balances with related parties:

 

               Amounts due
from related
parties - non-current
As of May 31,
   Amounts due
to related
parties - current
As of May 31,
     Notes    Relationship    2007    2008    2007    2008
               US$    US$    US$    US$

Mr. Michael Yu Minhong

   (1)    Director    —      —      12    6

Ms. Li Li

   (2)    Nominee shareholder    13    —      —      —  

Restricted shareholders

   (3)    Employee    31    —      —      —  
                         
         44    —      12    6
                         
 
  (1) Amount due to Mr. Michael Yu Minhong represented reimbursable expenses.
  (2) Amount due from Ms. Li Li related to the capital contribution from the nominee shareholder.
  (3) Amount due from restricted shareholders represented the unpaid amounts of their exercise price.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION - continued

 

All related party balances were non-interest bearing and unsecured with no fixed repayment terms.

During fiscal year 2006, the Group leased an office space from one of its minority shareholders who had waived the rent fees for the entire lease term of 20 years. The Group recognizes rent expenses based on the fair value of the rental fees the Group would have incurred if leasing from an unrelated third party, and recorded the rent expense against additional paid-in capital.

 

17. COMMITMENTS

Operating leases

The Group leases offices, classroom, and warehouse facilities under operating leases. The terms of substantially all of these leases are ten years or less. Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases were as follows at May 31, 2008:

 

     Continuing
operations
     US$
Years ending May 31:   

2009

   21,920

2010

   19,474

2011

   17,251

2012

   12,647

2013

   9,341

Thereafter

   11,310
    
   91,943
    

Rent expenses for continuing operations for all cancelable and non-cancelable leases were approximately US$9,767, US$15,720 and US$23,317 for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. There were no rent expenses associated with discontinued operations during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

 

Capital commitment

   US$

Capital commitment for the purchase of property and equipment

   187

Capital commitment for leasehold improvements

   777
    

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

18. SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Group offers a wide range of educational programs, services and products consisting primarily of English and other foreign language training; test preparation courses for major admissions and assessment tests in the United States, the PRC, and the Commonwealth countries; primary and secondary school education; educational content distribution; software and other technology development and distribution; online education.

The Group’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer who reviews financial information of separate operating segments based on US GAAP amounts when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. Based on management’s assessment, the Group has determined that it has six operating segments which are language training and test preparation, primary and secondary school education, on-line education, content development and distribution, post-secondary education and overseas study consulting services. Two of the six operating segments are identified as reportable segments which are language training and test preparation, and primary and secondary education. Online education, content development and distribution, post-secondary education and overseas study consulting services operating segments were aggregated as others because individually they do not exceed the 10% quantitative threshold.

The Group’s chief operating decision maker evaluates performance based on each reporting segment’s net revenue, operating costs and expenses, and operating income. Net revenues, operating costs and expenses, operating income, and total assets by segment were as follows:

For the year ended May 31, 2006

 

     Language
training and test
preparation courses
    Primary and
secondary
education
    Others     Consolidated  
     US$     US$     US$     US$  

Net revenues

   84,359     3,843     6,320     94,522  
                        

Operating costs and expenses:

        

Cost of revenues

   (32,162 )   (2,542 )   (4,634 )   (39,338 )

Selling and marketing

   (7,319 )   (44 )   (1,482 )   (8,845 )

General and administrative

   (17,686 )   (2,466 )   (3,234 )   (23,386 )
                        

Total operating costs and expenses

   (57,167 )   (5,052 )   (9,350 )   (71,569 )
                        

Unallocated corporate expenses

   —       —       —       (15,455 )
                        

Operating income (loss)

   27,192     (1,209 )   (3,030 )   7,498  
                        

Segment assets

   65,098     37,033     16,847     118,978  

Unallocated corporate assets

   —       —       —       16,852  
                        

Total assets

   65,098     37,033     16,847     135,830  
                        

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

18. SEGMENT INFORMATION - continued

 

For the year ended May 31, 2007

 

     Language
training and test
preparation courses
    Primary and
secondary
education
    Others     Consolidated  
     US$     US$     US$     US$  

Net revenues

   117,140     4,869     10,594     132,603  
                        

Operating costs and expenses:

        

Cost of revenues

   (43,545 )   (4,728 )   (5,471 )   (53,744 )

Selling and marketing

   (10,915 )   (124 )   (2,168 )   (13,207 )

General and administrative

   (18,710 )   (1,496 )   (2,133 )   (22,339 )
                        

Total operating costs and expenses

   (73,170 )   (6,348 )   (9,772 )   (89,290 )
                        

Unallocated corporate expenses

   —       —       —       (17,221 )
                        

Operating income (loss)

   43,970     (1,479 )   822     26,092  
                        

Segment assets

   85,494     38,230     23,735     147,459  

Unallocated corporate assets

   —       —       —       168,631  
                        

Total assets

   85,494     38,230     23,735     316,090  
                        
For the year ended May 31, 2008         
     Language
training and test
preparation courses
    Primary and
secondary
education
    Others     Consolidated  
     US$     US$     US$     US$  

Net revenues

   176,065     6,369     18,569     201,003  
                        

Operating costs and expenses:

        

Cost of revenues

   (65,753 )   (4,777 )   (6,689 )   (77,219 )

Selling and marketing

   (18,209 )   (230 )   (3,903 )   (22,342 )

General and administrative

   (27,686 )   (1,908 )   (3,397 )   (32,991 )
                        

Total operating costs and expenses

   (111,648 )   (6,915 )   (13,989 )   (132,552 )
                        

Unallocated corporate expenses

   —       —       —       (23,116 )
                        

Operating income (loss)

   64,417     (546 )   4,580     45,335  
                        

Segment assets

   97,777     42,171     27,024     166,972  

Unallocated corporate assets

   —       —       —       229,771  
                        

Total assets

   97,777     42,171     27,024     396,743  
                        

Geographical Disclosures - The Company primarily operates in the PRC. All of the identifiable assets of the Company are located in the PRC.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

19. MAINLAND CHINA CONTRIBUTION PLAN AND PROFIT APPROPRIATION

Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government-mandated multiemployer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. PRC labor regulations require the Group to accrue for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. The total contributions for such employee benefits were US$1,245, US$1,939 and US$3,312 for the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.

In accordance with the Regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment of China and their articles of association, the Company’s subsidiaries, being foreign invested enterprises established in China, are required to provide for certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve, enterprise expansion reserve and staff welfare and bonus reserve, all of which are appropriated from net profit as reported in the Group’s PRC statutory accounts. The Company’s subsidiaries are required to allocate at least 10% of their after-tax profits to the general reserve fund until such fund has reached 50% of their respective registered capital. Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund are at the discretion of the board of directors of the Company’s subsidiaries.

In accordance with the China Company Laws, New Oriental China and its subsidiaries must make appropriations from their after-tax profits as reported in their PRC statutory accounts to non-distributable reserves, namely statutory surplus reserve, statutory public welfare reserve and discretionary surplus reserve. New Oriental China and its subsidiaries are required to allocate at least 10% of their after-tax profits to the statutory surplus reserve until the reserve reaches 50% of each entity’s registered capital. Appropriation to the statutory public welfare fund is 5% to 10% of their after-tax profits as reported in the PRC statutory accounts. Effective from January 1, 2006, under the revised China Company Laws, appropriation to the statutory public welfare reserve is no longer mandatory. Appropriation to the discretionary surplus reserve is made at the discretion of the New Oriental China and its subsidiaries.

The general reserve and statutory surplus reserve are restricted to set-off against losses, expansion of production and operation and increasing registered capital of the respective company. The staff welfare and bonus reserve and the statutory public welfare reserves are restricted to the capital expenditures for the collective welfare of employees. These reserves are not allowed to be transferred to the Company in terms of cash dividends, loans or advances, nor can they be distributed except in the event of liquidation.

The Group transferred an aggregate of US$2,137, US$98 and $nil to the statutory reserves during the years ended May 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

20. RESTRICTED NET ASSETS

Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit the payment of dividends by the Group’s PRC variable interest entity and subsidiaries only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, PRC laws and regulations require that annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income should be set aside as a reserve prior to the payment of dividends. As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, the Group’s PRC variable interest entity and subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances. Restricted net assets totaled approximately US$53,042 as of May 31, 2007 and US$80,785 as of May 31, 2008.

 

21. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On June 1, 2008 the Company acquired 60% equity interest in Beijing Haidian Mingshitang Exam Training Education School (“Mingshitang”), which provided gaokao exam training service for tutoring students who want to retake the gaokao exam, for a cash consideration of US$2,017. The purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities based on estimated fair value. The resulting goodwill from this transaction is US$1,401. As of May 31, 2008, a deposit of US$2,017 for the acquisition had been paid. The purchase of remaining 40% equity interest will be subject to a multi-year earn-out structure.

On July 26, 2008 the Company signed an agreement to acquire 100% equity interest in Changchun Tongwen Gaokao Training Education School and Changchun Tongwen High School for a cash consideration of US$1,441. A deposit of US$366 had been paid.

On July 11, 2008, the relevant Chinese authorities jointly issued Guo Ke Fa Huo [2008 no. 362] (hereafter referred to as “Circular 362”) to provide clarification to its initial High New Technology Enterprise (“HNTE”) qualifications and rules published in Guo Ke Fa Huo [2008 no. 172] (“Circular 172”), as well as providing more detailed implementation guidance on identifying and approving HNTE.

Circular 172 provides the following six qualification criteria for HNTE:

 

  a. Resident company must have at least one year operating history in China and own propriety Intellectual Property (“IP”) rights of core technology for its main products or services;

 

  b. Products/ services must fall under the Key High-Technology Areas found in the State Encouraged High Technology Catalogue;

 

  c. Resident company must have at least 30% technical personnel and 10% Research and Development (“R&D”) personnel;

 

  d. Qualified R&D expenditures as a percentage of total revenue requirement, i.e., 6%, 4% or 3% depending on revenue size, and with at least 60% incurred within China;

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

  e. Income from High New Technology products/ services must be at least 60% of the total income of the enterprise; and

 

  f. Four-indicator assessments, including:

 

  i. Ability of Resident company to execute and manage R&D activities,

 

  ii. Capability of converting R&D findings into valuable IP rights,

 

  iii. Amount of IP owned, and

 

  iv. Growth potential of revenue and total assets.

The Company is currently applying for HNTE status for certain of its subsidiaries. When and if it is successful in those applications, tax rate for those subsidiaries will be 15% with effect from January 1, 2008 and consequently the Company expects that its effective tax rate for the full year will be less than the rate that it has used in the period from January 1, 2008 to May 31, 2008.

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

Additional Information - Financial Statement Schedule I

Financial Information of Parent Company

Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and share data)

 

     As of May 31,
     2007    2008
     US$    US$

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   141,586    129,671

Prepaid expense and other current assets

   51    954

Amounts due from related parties

   9,597    9,673
         

Total current assets

   151,234    140,298

Investments in subsidiaries and variable interest entity

   97,439    165,665
         

Total assets

   248,673    305,963
         

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   1,644    7,123

Amounts due to related parties

   49    160
         

Total current liabilities

   1,693    7,283
         

Shareholders’ equity:

     

Common shares (US$0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized as of May 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively; 152,004,707 and 152,197,907 shares issued and outstanding as of May 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively)

   1,491    1,503

Additional paid-in capital

   189,445    177,794

Retained earnings

   49,944    98,957

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   6,100    20,426
         

Total shareholders’ equity

   246,980    298,680
         

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   248,673    305,963
         

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

Financial Information of Parent Company

Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

 

     Years ended May 31,  
     2006     2007     2008  
     US$     US$     US$  

Operating costs and expenses:

      

Cost of revenues

   —       277     707  

Selling and marketing

   —       109     226  

General and administrative

   948     4,944     9,468  
                  

Total operating costs and expenses

   948     5,330     10,401  
                  

Operating loss

   (948 )   (5,330 )   (10,401 )

Interest income

   11     4,182     5,675  

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries and variable interest entity

   6,998     29,747     53,739  
                  

Net income

   6,061     28,599     49,013  
                  

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

Parent Company Statements of Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     Series A convertible
preferred shares
    Common shares     Additional
paid-in
capital
    Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   Total
shareholders’
equity
    Comprehensive
income
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount             
           US$           US$     US$     US$     US$    US$     US$

Balance at June 1, 2005

   11,111,111     111     100,000,000     1,000     30,925     26,456     5    58,497     —  

Issuance of restricted shares to employees

   —       —       —       —       9,025     —       —      9,025     —  

Share-based compensation expense for employee share options

   —       —       —       —       750     —       —      750     —  

Dividends

   —       —       —       —       —       (8,040 )   —      (8,040 )   —  

Non-pro-rata distribution

   —       —       —       —       —       (3,132 )   —      (3,132 )   —  

Net income

   —       —       —       —       —       6,061     —      6,061     6,061

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —       —       —       —       —       —       1,852    1,852     1,852
                                                   

Balance at May 31, 2006

   11,111,111     111     100,000,000     1,000     40,700     21,345     1,857    65,013     7,913
                                                   

Conversion of preferred shares upon IPO

   (11,111,111 )   (111 )   11,111,111     111     —       —       —      —      

Issuance of common shares upon IPO

   —       —       34,500,000     345     118,349     —       —      118,694     —  

Issuance of common share upon follow on public offering

   —       —       2,393,596     24     23,329     —       —      23,353     —  

Common shares converted to ADS shares for futures exercise of employee share options

   —       —       4,000,000     —       —       —       —      —       —  

Issuance of ADS shares for the exercises of employee share options

   —       —       —       11     2,332     —       —      2,343     —  

Share based compensation expense for employee share options

   —       —       —       —       4,647     —       —      4,647     —  

Waived of rental expense by a minority shareholder

   —       —       —       —       88     —       —      88     —  

Net income

   —       —       —       —       —       28,599     —      28,599     28,599

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —       —       —       —       —       —       4,243    4,243     4,243
                                                   

Balance at May 31, 2007

   —       —       152,004,707     1,491     189,445     49,944     6,100    246,980     32,842
                                                   

Common shares converted to ADS shares for futures exercise of employee share options or non-vested equity shares

   —       —       2,000,000     —       —       —       —      —       —  

Issuance of ADS shares for the exercises of employee share options

   —       —       —       28     8,665     —       —      8,693     —  

Non-vested equity shares vested

   —       —       —       2     (2 )   —       —      —       —  

Share based compensation expense

   —       —       —       —       8,742     —       —      8,742     —  

Shares repurchase

   —       —       (1,806,800 )   (18 )   (29,180 )   —       —      (29,198 )   —  

Waived rental expense by a minority shareholder

   —       —       —       —       124     —       —      124     —  

Net income

   —       —       —       —       —       49,013     —      49,013     49,013

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —       —       —       —       —       —       14,326    14,326     14,326
                                                   

Balance at May 31, 2008

   —       —       152,197,907     1,503     177,794     98,957     20,426    298,680     63,339
                                                   

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

Financial Information of Parent Company

Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     Years ended May 31,  
     2006     2007     2008  
     US$     US$     US$  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   6,061     28,599     49,013  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

      

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

   (6,998 )   (29,747 )   (53,739 )

Share-based compensation expense

   750     4,647     8,742  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   (16 )   (16 )   (461 )

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   70     1,636     3,842  

Amounts due from related parties

   —       —       (50 )
                  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   (133 )   5,119     7,347  
                  

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Investment in subsidiary

   —       —       (1 )

Lending to subsidiaries

   —       (9,015 )   —    

Dividend received

   4,393     —       —    
                  

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

   4,393     (9,015 )   (1 )
                  

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from issuance of common shares upon IPO, net of issuance costs paid

   —       119,517     —    

Proceeds from issuance of common shares upon follow on offering, net of issuance costs paid

   —       23,372     —    

Proceeds from issuance of common shares upon exercise of share option

   —       2,332     8,274  

Proceeds from issuance of restricted shares to employees

   —       231     —    

Payment of remaining issuance cost relating to follow on offering

   —       —       (272 )

Cash paid for shares repurchase

   —       —       (27,263 )

Dividends paid to shareholders

   (4,579 )   —       —    
                  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   (4,579 )   145,452     (19,261 )
                  

Effect of exchange rate changes

   —       —       —    
                  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (319 )   141,556     (11,915 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

   349     30     141,586  
                  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   30     141,586     129,671  
                  

Conversion of Series A convertible preferred shares to common shares

   —       111     —    
                  

 

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NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

 

NOTES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

1. BASIS FOR PREPARATION

The condensed financial information of the Company has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the Group’s consolidated financial statements except that the Company used the equity method to account for investments in its subsidiaries and variable interest entity.

 

2. INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

The Company and its subsidiaries and variable interest entity were included in the consolidated financial statements where the inter-company balances and transactions were eliminated upon consolidation. For purpose of the Company’s stand-alone financial statements, its investments in subsidiaries and variable interest entity were reported using the equity method of accounting. The Company’s share of income and losses from its subsidiaries and variable interest entity were reported as equity in earnings of subsidiaries and variable interest entity in the accompanying parent company financial statements.

 

3. INCOME TAXES

The Company is a Cayman Islands company, therefore, is not subjected to income taxes for all years presented.

 

4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following represented related party balances as of May 31, 2007 and 2008:

 

     May 31,
     2007    2008
     US$    US$

Amount due from related parties:

     

Beijing Judgment

   9,000    9,000

New Oriental China

   597    537

Elite Concept Holdings Limited

   —      136
         
   9,597    9,673
         

Amount due to related party:

     

Beijing Judgment

   49    160
         
   49    160
         

All related party balances were non-interest bearing and unsecured.

 

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