全国小学生人数减少，学校课堂却更“拥挤”

Core Viewpoint - 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-age children, while the number of students in junior and senior high schools continues to rise [1][15]. Group 1: Changes in Preschool Education - The number of children in preschool education has decreased significantly, with a total reduction of over 10 million in the past two years, leading to a decline in the number of kindergartens [5][6]. - The average class size in kindergartens has decreased from 26.32 to 25.38 children, providing an opportunity to explore "small classes and small kindergartens" [5][6]. - The proportion of inclusive kindergartens has increased, with 87.26% of kindergartens being inclusive and 91.61% of children in inclusive kindergartens [5][7]. Group 2: Primary Education Trends - The number of primary school enrollments in 2024 is projected to be 16.17 million, a decrease of 2.61 million from the previous year, indicating a peak in enrollment numbers [10]. - The total number of primary schools has decreased to 136,300, with a reduction of 7,200 schools and 13,800 teaching points [10]. - The number of large classes (over 56 students) has increased by 25%, with 17,600 such classes reported [10][11]. Group 3: Junior and Senior High School Developments - Enrollment in junior high schools has increased by 941,200 to 18.49 million, while senior high school enrollment has risen by 684,000 to 10.36 million [15]. - The number of ordinary high schools has increased by approximately 400 to 15,800, responding to the growing demand for high school education [16]. - The ratio of ordinary high school to vocational school enrollments has widened, with over 70% of junior high graduates expected to enter ordinary high schools [16][17]. Group 4: Educational Resource Optimization - The changes in school-age population necessitate a flexible and rapid optimization of educational resource allocation to enhance educational ecology and promote comprehensive student development [18]. - The government is encouraged to provide sufficient funding and break down existing barriers to improve the quality of education, especially in rural areas [13][18].