Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is gradually implementing a free preschool education policy, which is expected to benefit approximately 12 million children in the upcoming autumn semester, emphasizing the importance of early childhood education for societal stability and future development [1][3]. Policy Principles - The policy is based on principles of universal accessibility and inclusivity, covering all kindergarten children in the final year, including both public and private institutions, as well as urban and rural areas [6]. - The government aims to ensure a sustainable and orderly implementation of the policy, starting with the final year of kindergarten, while increasing government investment [3][4]. Financial Implications - The implementation of the policy will result in an increase in national fiscal expenditure of approximately 20 billion yuan for this autumn semester, which will correspondingly reduce family expenditures by the same amount [4]. - The funding for the free education policy will be shared between central and local governments, with the central government covering a significant portion and providing additional support to central and western regions [4][12]. Implementation Standards - The free education policy will be executed according to the existing fee standards set by local authorities for public kindergartens, with full exemptions for the fees previously charged [8]. - For children attending approved private kindergartens, the fee reductions will be aligned with the exemption levels of similar public kindergartens in the area [8]. Policy Enforcement - The Ministry of Finance will expedite the allocation of central subsidy funds and guide local governments in formulating detailed implementation measures [10]. - Regular evaluations of the policy's implementation will be conducted to adjust the financial support standards as necessary, ensuring the normal operation of kindergartens [12].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is implementing a free preschool education policy that will benefit approximately 12 million children this fall, with an expected increase in national fiscal expenditure of around 20 billion yuan, which will correspondingly reduce family expenses by the same amount [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Implementation - The free education policy will cover all kindergarten children in their final year, including both public and private institutions, in urban and rural areas, ensuring broad accessibility and fairness [2][3]. - The policy will exempt families from paying the childcare education fees that they previously incurred, significantly lowering overall family education expenses [2]. Group 2: Financial Management - To address potential revenue losses for kindergartens due to the fee exemption, the government will provide financial subsidies, with funding sourced from both central and local governments [3]. - The Ministry of Finance has allocated the necessary central funding for the subsidies and will guide local governments in establishing specific implementation plans [4]. - There will be strict oversight and monitoring of the fund usage to prevent misuse, with local authorities required to ensure timely disbursement of funds to maintain the normal operation of kindergartens [4].

Group 1 - The Chinese government is gradually implementing a free preschool education policy, starting from the fall semester of 2025, which will exempt public kindergartens from charging care and education fees for children in their last year of preschool [1][3] - Approximately 12 million children are expected to benefit from this policy in the upcoming fall semester [3] - The financial impact on kindergartens due to the exemption of care fees will be compensated by the government, with funding shared between central and local finances, where the central government will cover 80%, 60%, and 50% for western, central, and eastern regions respectively [5] Group 2 - The Ministry of Education has set a deadline for local authorities to complete preparations by the end of August, ensuring that children in large classes can enjoy the benefits of the policy at the start of the fall semester [7] - The Ministry of Finance has allocated sufficient funds for the central government's share of the care fee exemption subsidies, which will be distributed soon [8]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the news is the introduction of a gradual implementation of free preschool education policy in China, which aims to benefit millions of children and promote social stability [1][2]. - Starting from the autumn semester of 2025, the policy will exempt public kindergarten fees for children in their final year, and similar reductions will apply to approved private kindergartens [2][3]. - The policy is expected to cover approximately 12 million children in the upcoming autumn semester, with a total increase in national fiscal expenditure of about 20 billion yuan, which will also reduce family expenses by the same amount [3][4]. Group 2 - The principles guiding the policy include universal coverage for all kindergarten children, a gradual and orderly implementation, increased government investment, and a reasonable sharing of funding responsibilities between central and local governments [3][4]. - The policy emphasizes a gradual approach to ensure sustainability, starting with the final year of preschool education, and aims to alleviate the financial burden on families [4][5]. - The financial support for kindergartens affected by the fee exemption will be provided by the government, ensuring that the quality of education is maintained [2][8].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is the introduction of a free preschool education policy in China, which aims to alleviate the financial burden on families by eliminating certain fees for public and private kindergartens [1] Group 2 - The policy states that public kindergartens will fully waive the childcare and education fees based on the existing fee standards set by local authorities [1] - For private kindergartens, the fee exemption will be aligned with the level of public kindergartens in the same area, allowing for a reduction in fees [1] - An example provided indicates that if a private kindergarten charges 800 yuan per month, and the local public kindergarten charges 500 yuan, the policy will result in a full exemption of the 500 yuan for children in public kindergartens, while children in private kindergartens will only need to pay the difference of 300 yuan [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is gradually implementing a policy for free preschool education, which aims to benefit all kindergarten children and ensure the policy's effective execution through financial support and monitoring [1][2][3]. Group 1: Policy Coverage - The policy will exempt public kindergarten children in their final year from care and education fees starting from the fall semester of 2025, impacting approximately 12 million children this year [2]. - The exemption applies to both public and approved private kindergartens, covering urban and rural areas [2]. - The fee exemption standard will be based on the approved fee levels set by local governments for public kindergartens [2]. Group 2: Financial Support - The central and local governments will share the financial burden of the policy, with the central government covering 80%, 60%, and 50% of the costs for western, central, and eastern regions, respectively [5]. - The total increase in government spending for the current semester is estimated to be around 20 billion yuan, which will correspondingly reduce family education expenses by the same amount [5]. Group 3: Implementation and Monitoring - The Ministry of Finance has allocated the necessary funds for the policy and will guide local governments in establishing specific implementation plans [7]. - A monitoring system will be established to prevent misuse of funds, ensuring accountability for any fraudulent activities [6]. - The education department will oversee the implementation process, ensuring that all preparations are completed by the end of August, allowing children to benefit from the policy at the start of the school year [7].

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].

8月7日，国新办举行国务院政策例行吹风会，财政部副部长郭婷婷、教育部财务司司长刘玉光、财政部 科教和文化司司长许留庆介绍逐步推行免费学前教育政策有关情况。 Q 政策何时开始实施？ A 郭婷婷表示，从2025年秋季学期起，免除公办幼儿园学前一年在园儿童的保育教育费；对教育部门批准 设立的民办幼儿园学前一年在园儿童，参照当地同类型公办幼儿园免除水平，相应减免保育教育费。后 续还将统筹考虑学龄人口变化、财力状况等因素，研究适时完善免费政策。 刘玉光说，各地将在8月底前完成相关准备工作，让大班儿童在今年秋季学期开学时就能享受到政策红 利。 Q A 政策覆盖哪些群体？ 郭婷婷表示，国家统一实施的免保育教育费政策覆盖所有幼儿园的大班儿童。既包括公办幼儿园，也包 括民办幼儿园，既包括城市幼儿园，也包括乡村幼儿园，让所有在园就读的大班儿童都能够享受到这一 政策红利。 Q 将有多少人受益？ A 郭婷婷表示，预计今年秋季学期将惠及约1200万人。同时，鼓励各省结合实际巩固落实家庭经济困难儿 童等群体的资助政策，做好兜底保障。 Q 能减少多少家庭教育支出？ A 郭婷婷介绍，逐步推行免费学前教育是以政府投入的"加法"，来实现家庭教育 ...

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is gradually implementing a free preschool education policy, with local authorities required to develop specific implementation plans by the end of August, aiming for the policy to benefit large classes of children in the upcoming fall semester [1] Group 1 - The State Council's policy briefing on August 7 highlighted the importance of expediting the rollout of free preschool education [1] - The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education are overseeing the implementation process and ensuring local governments meet deadlines [1] - Local governments are expected to complete preparations by the end of August to allow children to benefit from the policy at the start of the new school year [1]

21世纪经济报道记者王峰北京报道国务院新闻办公室8月7日举行国务院政策例行吹风会，介绍逐步推行 免费学前教育政策有关情况。财政部、教育部相关负责人在回答21世纪经济报道记者提问时表示，将督 促各地出台具体实施方案后，尽快部署实施，倒排工期推进政策落地。各地将在8月底前完成相关准备 工作，让大班儿童在今年秋季学期开学时就能享受到政策红利。 ...