逐步推行免费学前教育，“投资于人”信号渐强

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the gradual implementation of free preschool education in China, starting from the fall semester of 2025, which aims to alleviate the financial burden on families and promote inclusive early childhood education [2][5]. Group 1: Policy Implementation - The State Council has issued an opinion to gradually exempt public kindergarten tuition fees for the last year of preschool education, benefiting approximately 12 million children starting in the fall semester of 2025 [2][4]. - The policy will also apply to private kindergartens, which will reduce fees in line with local public kindergarten standards [2][4]. - The financial implications include an estimated increase in national fiscal expenditure of about 20 billion yuan for the fall semester, offsetting family expenses by the same amount [2][4]. Group 2: Financial Sources and Support - The funding for the policy will be shared between central and local governments, with the central government covering 80%, 60%, and 50% of the costs for western, central, and eastern regions, respectively [6][7]. - The Ministry of Finance has allocated the necessary funds for the subsidies and will ensure timely distribution to kindergartens [5][10]. Group 3: Challenges and Considerations - There are concerns regarding the sustainability of the policy, especially in light of declining birth rates and the financial strain on local governments [3][4]. - The article highlights the need for equitable distribution of subsidies across different regions to ensure all children benefit from the policy [11]. - The implementation of the policy will require careful monitoring and evaluation to address potential disparities and ensure effective use of funds [10][11].