免费学前教育先惠及哪些人？能省多少？两部门回应

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government has issued a policy to gradually implement free preschool education, starting from the autumn semester of 2025, which will benefit all children in their final year of preschool education, including those in both public and private kindergartens [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Coverage - The policy will cover all children in the final year of preschool (commonly referred to as kindergarten's big class), including those in public and private kindergartens, in urban and rural areas [2]. - Approximately 12 million children are expected to benefit from the exemption of childcare education fees in the upcoming autumn semester [2]. Group 2: Fee Exemption Standards - The exemption of childcare education fees will follow the fee standards set by local authorities for public kindergartens, meaning that the full amount previously charged will be waived [3]. - For children in private kindergartens, the fee exemption will be based on the corresponding public kindergarten fee level in the area, allowing for a reduction in fees [3]. Group 3: Financial Impact - The exemption is projected to reduce family education expenses by approximately 20 billion yuan in the upcoming autumn semester, as childcare education fees constitute a significant portion of total preschool education costs [4]. - The funding for the fee exemption will be shared between central and local governments, with a focus on supporting regions in central and western China [4]. Group 4: Existing Local Policies - Local governments that have already implemented fee exemption policies that exceed the scope of the new policy will be allowed to continue those policies, with the additional funding responsibilities remaining with local authorities [5]. Group 5: Implementation Preparations - The Ministry of Education is preparing to enhance policy communication and training for kindergarten staff to ensure effective implementation of the new policy by the start of the autumn semester [6]. - The central government has allocated the necessary funds for the fee exemption, which will be distributed shortly [7].