全国小学生人数减少，学校课堂却更“拥挤”｜「教」量

Core Insights - The latest data from the Ministry of Education indicates significant changes in the school-age population in China, with a notable decline in preschool and primary school enrollment, while secondary education is experiencing an increase in student numbers [1][13]. Group 1: Changes in School-Age Population - The number of children in kindergartens has decreased by over 10 million in the past two years, with 35.84 million children enrolled in 2024, down by 5.09 million from the previous year [2][4]. - Primary school enrollment is projected to have peaked, with 16.17 million students enrolled in 2024, a decrease of 2.61 million from the previous year [7][10]. - The total number of primary schools has decreased to 136,300, with a reduction of 7,200 schools compared to the previous year [9]. Group 2: Class Size and Resource Allocation - Despite the decrease in student numbers, the number of large classes (over 56 students) in primary and junior high schools has significantly increased, with a 25% rise in such classes in primary schools [10]. - The average class size in kindergartens has decreased from 26.32 to 25.38 students, indicating a shift towards smaller class sizes [4]. - The government is urged to optimize educational resource allocation to meet the demand for quality education, especially in rural areas [1][11]. Group 3: Secondary Education Trends - Enrollment in junior high schools has increased by 941,200 students to 18.49 million in 2024, while high school enrollment has risen by 684,000 to 10.36 million [13][16]. - The ratio of students entering general high schools versus vocational schools has widened, with over 70% of junior high graduates expected to enroll in general high schools [16][17]. - The Ministry of Education plans to build or expand over 1,000 quality general high schools to address the shortage of high school seats [15]. Group 4: Policy and Future Directions - The implementation of the new Preschool Education Law aims to gradually promote free preschool education in qualified areas, which is expected to enhance the accessibility of early childhood education [5]. - Experts suggest that the government should increase funding for early childhood education and adjust class size standards to improve the quality of education [5][12]. - The focus on balancing educational resources and improving the quality of education is essential for addressing the disparities in educational access across different regions [18].