Latest news with #preschool education
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Will a free year of preschool entice parents to procreate? China bids to boost births
China will waive tuition fees for children in their final year at public kindergartens from this autumn, as the country intensifies efforts to address its plummeting birth rate. Advertisement The move, part of a phased plan to make preschool education free, aims to 'effectively lower education costs and improve the level of basic public education services', the State Council, China's cabinet, said on Tuesday. Children enrolled in approved private kindergartens will also have their tuition fees reduced, with the amount based on the value of the fee exemption at public kindergartens in the same locality. While parents will still have to pay other fees, such as meal expenses and administrative charges, the scheme is expected to offer welcome relief to families struggling with a weak labour market and a prolonged real estate slump that has eroded household wealth amid a slowing economy. 'These measures can be viewed as a continuation of previous consumption policies,' said Ding Shuang, chief Greater China economist at Standard Chartered Bank, adding that they are a step in the right direction even if their impact remains uncertain. Advertisement Kindergartens will be provided with subsidies to offset the loss of tuition revenue from the new policy, with funding to be shared by the central and local governments. Beijing will fund at least half, and up to 80 per cent, of the total cost, depending on the fiscal strength of the locality, according to guidelines released by the State Council.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Will a free year of preschool entice parents to procreate? Beijing bids to boost births
China will waive tuition fees for children in their final year at public kindergartens from this autumn, as the country intensifies efforts to address its plummeting birth rate. The move, part of a phased plan to make preschool education free, aims to 'effectively lower education costs and improve the level of basic public education services', the State Council, China's cabinet, said on Tuesday. Children enrolled in approved private kindergartens will also have their tuition fees reduced, with the amount based on the value of the fee exemption at public kindergartens in the same locality. While parents will still have to pay other fees, such as meal expenses and administrative charges, the scheme is expected to offer welcome relief to families struggling with a weak labour market and a prolonged real estate slump that has eroded household wealth amid a slowing economy. 'These measures can be viewed as a continuation of previous consumption policies,' said Ding Shuang, chief Greater China economist at Standard Chartered Bank, adding that they are a step in the right direction even if their impact remains uncertain. Kindergartens will be provided with subsidies to offset the loss of tuition revenue from the new policy, with funding to be shared by the central and local governments. Beijing will fund at least half, and up to 80 per cent, of the total cost, depending on the fiscal strength of the locality, according to guidelines released by the State Council.
Malay Mail
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Malaysia to make preschool mandatory for kids aged five as part of 13MP education reforms
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 – Putrajaya will make preschool education mandatory for children starting at the age of five, as part of wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening the national education system, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today. To boost education outcomes, the government will also review optimal school hours, evaluate the effectiveness of special schools, and enhance education models for gifted and talented students. 'A greater emphasis will be placed on English as a medium of learning and communication, alongside the expansion of additional language offerings in schools,' Anwar said today while tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan in Parliament. 'STEM education and digital literacy will be further reinforced, including the introduction of basic artificial intelligence (AI) concepts, to prepare the younger generation for future high-value job markets,' he added. To ensure greater integration and efficiency, all preschool to secondary level education will come under the sole purview of the Ministry of Education, while pre-university and higher education will be overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education. This restructuring is aimed at clarifying jurisdiction and improving policy coherence and execution. A new National Education Council has also been established to coordinate, monitor, and design timely interventions to ensure Malaysia's education system remains forward looking and globally competitive.
