Summary of Key Points
The "15th Five-Year Plan for Educational Development" focuses on the goal of building a strong educational nation and outlines four main categories of measures:
1. Promoting the free and inclusive provision of preschool education to reduce the costs associated with childcare for parents;
2. Exploring the possibility of extending the duration of compulsory education (possibly starting from the three years before primary school or the high school phase);
3. Adapting to the "tidal" changes in the age of school population by flexibly allocating educational resources across different stages;
4. Utilizing the period of declining population growth to implement smaller class sizes and improve the quality of education. These measures aim to address the need for support in fertility and also optimize the efficiency of resource allocation.
Detailed Explanation
1. Preschool Education: From "Partial Free" to "More Free" to Help Parents Save on Childcare Costs
The plan clearly states the intention to "steadily expand the scope of free education." Building on policies from previous years, starting from the autumn of 2025, children in the year before kindergarten will be exempt from childcare and education fees at public kindergartens, and private kindergartens will follow the same standards. Experts predict that this may eventually extend to cover the entire three-year preschool period (which is already being piloted in some areas). Additionally, there will be an increase in the proportion of public kindergarten places, improvements to the conditions of underperforming kindergartens, and financial support for teachers' salaries to prevent them from leaving their jobs due to low pay. Kindergartens are also encouraged to accept children aged 2-3 years (integrating childcare and education services to address parents' difficulties in finding childcare).
In simple terms: In the future, kindergarten fees may become cheaper or even free, with more public kindergartens available and better-quality services. Teachers will have stable salaries, making it easier for parents to send their children there earlier, thus saving them both money and time—and all of this is intended to encourage more people to have children.
2. Extending the Duration of Compulsory Education? Starting from Both Ends
The plan mentions exploring the possibility of extending the duration of compulsory education. Experts suggest that this could begin with either the early stages (the three years before primary school) or the later stages (high school). Some regions have already piloted free preschool education or free high school education. This would significantly reduce parents' educational expenses, as a nine-year compulsory education period (including three years of preschool or high school) would lower the burden of raising children.
In simple terms: Currently, compulsory education lasts for six years in primary school and three years in junior high school. In the future, kindergarten or high school might also be included in the free education program, meaning the government would cover part of the tuition fees, making it easier for families to afford education.
3. Adapting to Fluctuating School Age Populations by Flexibly Allocating Resources
China is experiencing a "peak and trough" in the school age population: the largest number of children will be in primary schools in 2023, junior high schools in 2026, and high schools in 2029. Some areas face a surplus of students, while others have empty schools. The plan calls for the establishment of a forecasting and early warning system for school age populations to allow for flexible allocation of resources. For example, Hangzhou has created "tidal schools" to handle the peak enrollment in junior high schools, Qingdao has used idle primary school buildings for junior high students, and Xiamen has integrated primary and junior high school facilities. Teacher staffing will also be managed more effectively, with teachers being transferred to areas in need.
In simple terms: When there are more children, temporary schools (tidal schools) will be established; when there are fewer children, empty school buildings can be used for other educational purposes, avoiding waste and ensuring that no child is left without schooling.
4. Smaller Class Sizes: A Golden Opportunity for Better Education
The plan proposes to gradually implement smaller class sizes in compulsory education. With the expected decrease in the number of students during the next decade, class sizes can be reduced from around 50 to about 30 (with Shandong planning to make this the norm by 2035). The benefits of smaller classes are clear: teachers can provide better care for each student, and with fewer students to manage, their workload is reduced. This aligns with the policy focus on investing in human development by improving the quality of education.
In simple terms: Classes will become smaller, allowing teachers to pay more attention to each child, potentially leading to better learning outcomes and less stress for both teachers and students.
These measures address current issues in education, such as high costs and uneven resource distribution, while also responding to demographic trends (such as low birth rates and fluctuations in the school age population). The ultimate goal is to make education more equitable and of higher quality, while reducing the financial burden on families and supporting fertility.