Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is gradually implementing free preschool education as a significant public welfare initiative that impacts millions of families and aims to enhance the long-term development of the education system [1][2]. Group 1: Government Initiatives - The State Council has called for the development of detailed work plans for free preschool education, ensuring timely and sufficient funding allocation [1]. - The implementation of free preschool education is expected to address issues such as insufficient resources, inadequate policy support, and lagging teacher development in kindergartens [1]. - The Ministry of Education has recognized 301 counties (cities, districts) for their efforts in promoting inclusive preschool education, indicating a need for further expansion [3]. Group 2: Financial Support and Cost Reduction - The initiative is aimed at reducing the cost of raising children, alleviating parents' concerns about childbirth expenses [2]. - In Shenzhen's Guangming District, a funding model has been established to support public kindergartens, with a per-student funding of 31,500 yuan per year and a maximum of 500,000 yuan per class for operational costs [2]. - The financial support for private kindergartens has been significantly increased from 1,333 yuan to 6,500 yuan per student per year, promoting high-quality development in the sector [2]. Group 3: Legal and Structural Framework - The implementation of the Preschool Education Law on June 1 has provided a legal foundation for the gradual rollout of free preschool education [4]. - Recommendations have been made to create a collaborative governance structure involving multiple stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of preschool education [4]. - International experiences suggest that public funding plays a crucial role in supporting preschool education, with families contributing only about 17% of total funding in OECD countries [4]. Group 4: Budget and Investment Trends - The central government has increased educational spending, with a projected 5% growth in central-level education expenditures by 2025 [5]. - In the first half of the year, education spending in the general public budget grew by 5.9%, indicating a strong commitment to enhancing educational resources [5]. - Policies such as childcare subsidies and the gradual implementation of free preschool education are part of the government's strategy to improve educational quality and accessibility [5].
加大公共资金投入 逐步推行免费学前教育