Big news from the Chinese mainland! 🎉 This fall semester, around 12 million kids entering their final year of kindergarten will get free preschool education—no fees, just learning and fun.
According to the Ministry of Finance, this move will slash household spending by about 20 billion yuan (roughly 2.8 billion U.S. dollars) this semester alone. The central and local governments are pitching in, with extra support for families in central and western regions.
Private kindergartens are in on the deal too—their fees will be lowered to match public ones, so families get the same free ride whether they send their child to a private or public preschool. Parents on Weibo are already celebrating! One mom in Beijing says she might even feel brave enough to have another child, thanks to the savings.
Liu Yuguang from the Ministry of Education confirms everything is on track: staff training, policy promotion, you name it—ready by the end of August. And it’s not just about tuition. The exemption teams up with existing aid for low-income families, orphans, and kids with disabilities—making sure no one’s left out.
It’s all part of a broader push to address the Chinese mainland’s changing demographics—declining births and an aging population. Expect more family-friendly moves soon, like the nationwide child care subsidy starting in 2025, giving 3,600 yuan a year for each child under 3.
For South and Southeast Asian parents tuning in, this could be a game-changer if adopted regionally. Imagine the relief as parents in Jakarta, Dhaka, or Chennai swing by school gates stress-free—just like families in Guangzhou and Shanghai are gearing up to do!
Reference(s):
China offers free preschool to 12 million children this fall
cgtn.com
