Hey fam, big news from the Chinese mainland 🎉: Starting this fall semester, all kids in their final year of kindergarten get free preschool! That's around 12 million kiddos whose parents can breathe easier 💆♀️💰.
Vice Minister of Finance Guo Tingting announced that the central and local governments will cover the costs, saving families roughly 20 billion yuan (about US$2.8B) in just a few months. The central government is picking up the biggest share, with extra support aimed at the central and western regions.
Plus, fees in private kindergartens will drop to the same level as public ones—no more worrying about unexpected bills. And there’s more: the policy will keep improving over time to reach even more children 👶📚.
So what’s the vibe among families? A working mom in Beijing, Ms. Wang, said free preschool could be a game-changer for her budget—and might even encourage her to consider having another child. Meanwhile, a netizen from Guangzhou cheered, "How lucky I am!" on Weibo.
The Ministry of Education is on it too: Senior official Liu Yuguang says all staff training and policy promotion will wrap up by the end of August, ensuring a smooth launch. Vulnerable kids—those from low-income families, orphans, and children with disabilities—will see extra financial aid layered on top to ensure no one’s left behind 🤝.
This move is part of a bigger push to tackle the declining birth rate and aging population. From 2025, families will also get a 3,600 yuan annual subsidy per child under age three—tax-free and welfare-friendly, helping over 20 million families each year.
"I hope policies like these not only ease costs but create a truly family-friendly society," says another working mom in Beijing, Ms. Meng. "It’s time for a major boost to parents everywhere!" 🌟
For news enthusiasts, young entrepreneurs, students, and globe-trotters alike, this move shows how the Chinese mainland is investing in its future—one preschooler at a time.
Reference(s):
China offers free preschool to 12 million children this fall
cgtn.com
