China announces phased implementation of free preschool education

BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Starting from the autumn semester of 2025, China will waive the care and education fees for children in public kindergartens in the year prior to entering primary school, according to a guideline made public by the State Council on Tuesday.

The move aims to effectively lower education costs and improve the country's public education services, according to the document issued by the General Office of the State Council.

For children enrolled in private kindergartens, their care and education fees will also be reduced in accordance with the amount exempted at local public kindergartens, according to the document.

Meanwhile, fiscal departments will provide subsidies to kindergartens to address their loss of income due to the policy.

The guideline also encourages local authorities to further consolidate supportive policies in line with local conditions for groups such as children from financially disadvantaged families, orphans, and children with disabilities.

Fiscal and education authorities at all levels should enhance fund management and allocate funds promptly and in full to ensure the normal operation of kindergartens, according to the document.

China will make improvements to the free preschool education policy at an appropriate time, considering factors such as changes in the school-age population, the guideline said.