日前，针对备受关注的普职分流问题，多地作出了回应，政策开始进行微调。 浙江省舟山市则嵊泗县，则让所有初三毕业生均升入嵊泗中学完成高一年级的普高课程学习，待高二年 级起根据学生学业表现和自身发展意愿再实施普职分类培养。 而福建省厦门市则在该省率先启动普职融通试点，建立普通高中与中职学校融通通道，2021年至今，普 职融通班学生转入普通高中349人，普通高中学生转入中职学校12人，等等。 这些政策，虽说名目都是"普通高中和职业高中融合发展"，但内核很清晰，就是扩大普通高中招生，减 少分流强度。而这，也被视为缓解焦虑的一个办法。 按道理，普职之间只是教育路径的区别，无高低之分，何以在现实中，这种分流却让众多家庭如临大 敌，以至于频频出现从决策面到民间的种种反弹？ 一 所谓普职分流，是指在初中后和高中后两个阶段对学生进行分流，分别进入普通教育或职业教育路径。 客观来说，这很正常。不是所有的学生都适合坐在那苦读，有些学生就喜欢动手，人的才能本来也是正 态分布的。那么让部分学生进入职业院校，这看似很合理。 而问题的关键，则在于近些年普职分流的比例被相对固定。相关部门曾经表态，坚持职普比大体相当。 而这在民间解读里，其实是 ...

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].

Core Insights - 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 enrollment, while secondary education is experiencing an increase in student numbers [1][13]. Group 1: Changes in School-Age Population - The number of children in kindergartens has decreased by over 10 million in the past two years, with 35.84 million children enrolled in 2024, down by 5.09 million from the previous year [2][4]. - Primary school enrollment is projected to have peaked, with 16.17 million students enrolled in 2024, a decrease of 2.61 million from the previous year [7][10]. - The total number of primary schools has decreased to 136,300, with a reduction of 7,200 schools compared to the previous year [9]. Group 2: Class Size and Resource Allocation - Despite the decrease in student numbers, the number of large classes (over 56 students) in primary and junior high schools has significantly increased, with a 25% rise in such classes in primary schools [10]. - The average class size in kindergartens has decreased from 26.32 to 25.38 students, indicating a shift towards smaller class sizes [4]. - The government is urged to optimize educational resource allocation to meet the demand for quality education, especially in rural areas [1][11]. Group 3: Secondary Education Trends - Enrollment in junior high schools has increased by 941,200 students to 18.49 million in 2024, while high school enrollment has risen by 684,000 to 10.36 million [13][16]. - The ratio of students entering general high schools versus vocational schools has widened, with over 70% of junior high graduates expected to enroll in general high schools [16][17]. - The Ministry of Education plans to build or expand over 1,000 quality general high schools to address the shortage of high school seats [15]. Group 4: Policy and Future Directions - The implementation of the new Preschool Education Law aims to gradually promote free preschool education in qualified areas, which is expected to enhance the accessibility of early childhood education [5]. - Experts suggest that the government should increase funding for early childhood education and adjust class size standards to improve the quality of education [5][12]. - The focus on balancing educational resources and improving the quality of education is essential for addressing the disparities in educational access across different regions [18].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant increase in ordinary high school enrollment in China, driven by government policies aimed at expanding educational resources to meet rising demand from families [2][3][6]. Enrollment Trends - In 2024, the total enrollment in ordinary high schools reached 10.362 million, marking a 684,000 increase from the previous year, the largest growth in 20 years [3][6]. - The number of students enrolled in ordinary high schools is projected to exceed 30 million by 2025, given the current growth rate [6][10]. Policy Initiatives - The "Education Strong Nation Construction Plan (2024-2035)" emphasizes the acceleration of ordinary high school education resource supply [2][12]. - Various regions, including Beijing, Chengdu, and Jiangsu, are implementing policies to increase ordinary high school enrollment, with specific targets set for 2025 [8][9]. Changes in Educational Structure - The ratio of ordinary high school to vocational education has shifted to nearly 7:3, reflecting a growing preference for ordinary high school education [2][3]. - The article highlights a transition from "expanding quality" to "expanding capacity" in educational policies, indicating a response to demographic changes and family needs [12][13]. Regional Developments - Beijing plans to increase its ordinary high school enrollment by approximately 3,000 students in 2025 [8]. - Chengdu is expected to add over 10 new ordinary high schools to accommodate increased enrollment [9]. - Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces are also expanding their ordinary high school capacities significantly [9]. Educational Access - The gross enrollment rate for high school education has reached 92%, with some provinces achieving rates as high as 96%, indicating near-universal access for junior high school graduates [10][11]. - The article notes that the number of "dropout" students in Beijing has become minimal, suggesting a high level of educational accessibility [11]. Comprehensive High Schools - The concept of comprehensive high schools is being explored, which combines ordinary high school curricula with vocational training, allowing students to choose their educational paths [18][20]. - This model aims to address the mismatch between vocational and ordinary education, providing flexibility for students based on their interests and abilities [17][18]. Conclusion - The article underscores the importance of expanding ordinary high school education resources to meet the growing demand and ensure equitable access to education across different regions in China [12][14].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the proposal of implementing a "twelve-year compulsory education" system in China, emphasizing the need to alleviate educational pressure and anxiety among students and parents [2][11]. Group 1: Implementation of Twelve-Year Compulsory Education - The concept of "twelve-year compulsory education" has two dimensions: "no cost" and "no exams" [4][7]. - Some regions in China have already begun to implement free high school education, such as Xinjiang and Shaanxi, indicating that financial feasibility varies by region [5][6]. - The main challenge for nationwide implementation lies in fiscal support, as some areas struggle to maintain free education policies [5]. Group 2: Educational Pressure and "Track Division" - The current educational system involves "track division," where students are separated into general and vocational high schools based on their exam performance, leading to significant pressure on students [9]. - The current division ratio often favors general high schools, with over 60% of students entering this track, leaving a substantial number without access to higher education [9][10]. - The article suggests that making high school compulsory could relieve the pressure of "track division," allowing all students to attend high school without the stress of exams [10]. Group 3: Long-Term Implications of Educational Changes - While compulsory high school education may alleviate immediate educational anxiety, it does not address the broader issue of "degree inflation" in higher education, where the number of graduates exceeds job opportunities [12][13]. - The article highlights that the real challenge lies in the labor market, where structural issues create disparities in job opportunities and welfare for different educational backgrounds [14][15]. - The need for skilled labor remains high, yet societal perceptions and job conditions deter students from pursuing vocational paths, indicating a deeper systemic issue beyond education alone [15].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the need for early implementation of twelve-year compulsory education to alleviate "involution" and unnecessary competition among teachers and students [3][5][11] Group 1: Education Policy Recommendations - National representatives suggest promoting high-quality and balanced development of compulsory education, expanding high school enrollment, and gradually implementing free preschool education [1][2] - There is a call to gradually diminish the "key high school" label and reform the high school entrance examination system to support diverse development in high schools [1][6] - The "Double Reduction" policy has led to significant changes in the education ecosystem, but educational anxiety persists, indicating a need for further reforms [4][10] Group 2: Addressing Educational Anxiety - Research indicates that despite reduced academic burdens, parents still experience anxiety related to educational competition [4][5] - Suggestions include innovating after-school service models and utilizing digital platforms to enhance resource integration and improve service quality [5][11] - The current system of dividing students into academic and vocational tracks after the entrance exam is seen as premature and a source of stress [5][6] Group 3: Enhancing Physical Education - New policies mandate that students engage in at least two hours of physical activity daily, although this has sparked debate among parents concerned about academic impacts [8][9] - Recommendations include increasing physical education class hours, improving facilities, and ensuring adequate teacher training to support these initiatives [9][10] Group 4: Teacher Support and Technology Integration - The government has recognized the need to reduce non-teaching burdens on teachers, with policies aimed at alleviating their workload [10][11] - There is a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance teaching quality and reduce pressure on educators, with calls for integrating technology into educational practices [11][12]