In a landmark move, the Chinese mainland's phased free preschool education policy is set to cover every child in their final year of kindergarten this fall, benefiting about 12 million children nationwide. Vice Minister of Finance Guo Tingting announced at a press briefing that the initiative will slash household spending by roughly 20 billion yuan (about 2.8 billion U.S. dollars) in the fall semester alone.
The policy, jointly funded by central and local governments, prioritizes support for families in the central and western regions. "We'll continue refining the program to reach even more children over time," Guo said. Under new guidelines, fees at private kindergartens will be aligned with exemptions already in place at public kindergartens, ensuring uniform relief across both sectors.
Families have responded with enthusiasm. A working mother in Beijing, surnamed Wang, described her monthly kindergarten expenses as a heavy burden: "If preschool becomes free, it would make a real difference—and might even encourage families like mine to have another child." On Weibo, a netizen from Guangzhou celebrated the news: "How lucky I am! My child will start their final year of kindergarten next month. This policy will save us a lot."
To guarantee a smooth rollout this September, Liu Yuguang, a senior official from the Ministry of Education, confirmed that staff training and policy promotion will wrap up by the end of August. He also noted that the fee exemption will complement existing financial aid for vulnerable groups—low-income families, orphans, and children with disabilities—ensuring no child is left behind.
The free preschool initiative is part of a broader plan to address demographic challenges like declining birth rates and a rapidly aging population. In recent years, the Chinese mainland has introduced measures across childbirth, parenting, education, healthcare, and housing to create a more birth-friendly environment.
Last week, authorities unveiled a nationwide child care subsidy program starting in 2025. Families will receive an annual subsidy of 3,600 yuan for each child under age three, benefiting over 20 million families. The subsidies will be exempt from individual income tax and won't count toward household income for welfare eligibility.
Working mother Meng from Beijing praised the package of measures: "I hope initiatives like child care subsidies and free preschool not only ease financial burdens on parents but also help foster a more family-friendly society where more young people feel confident about starting and raising a family."
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China offers free preschool to 12 million children this fall
cgtn.com
