The Ministry of Education has promoted the addition of 600 special classes for 2-year-olds, tripling the original target, while the number of public kindergarten classes has increased by more than 4,100 in the past 10 years. The picture shows the children affiliated with Ligang Elementary School in Pingtung County. (Picture provided by the Ministry of Education)
The country is on the road to raising 2.0 for children aged 0 to 6 years old. In order to meet the needs of 2-year-old children, the Ministry of Education has expanded and added 2-year-old special classes in public kindergartens. It was originally planned to add 200 classes from 2024 to 2026. A total of 600 classes have been added so far, three times the original target.
The Ministry of Education stated today (12th) that the government continues to promote "National Education 2.0 for 0 to 6-year-olds". In the past 10 years, it has subsidized the establishment of more than 4,100 public kindergarten classes, providing nearly 270,000 affordable education and health care places. This year, it will invest more than 500 million yuan to add classes and kindergartens, and prioritize the addition of 2-year-old special classes in elementary schools with child care centers to help young children connect child care and kindergarten education.
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In terms of fees that parents are most concerned about, according to the latest policy of the Ministry of Education, when children attend public kindergartens, the first child must pay a maximum of 1,000 yuan per month, and the second child is exempt from payment; non-profit kindergartens can pay a maximum of 2,000 yuan per month for the first child, 1,000 yuan for the second child, and the third child or more are exempt from fees; quasi-public kindergartens can pay a maximum of 3,000 yuan per month for the first child, 2,000 yuan for the second child, and 1,000 yuan for the third child or more. Children from low- and middle-income households are exempt from fees.
If parents choose to take care of themselves or enroll their children in a general private kindergarten, children under the age of 2 can receive a monthly childcare subsidy of 5,000 yuan, a second child of 6,000 yuan, and a third child and above 7,000 yuan; children aged 2 to under 5 can receive the same amount of childcare subsidy, and children aged 5 to before entering elementary school can receive a schooling subsidy. The amount is also divided according to the order of birth.
Wang Huiqiu, head of the Ministry of Education’s National Education Office, said that the National Education Office continues to hold special meetings with local governments to assess the need for additional classes based on the population of children aged 2 to 5 in each administrative region, the supply of public kindergartens, and the actual number of students enrolled. On the premise of ensuring the rights of children aged 3 to 5 to attend school, areas with abundant affordable places can also transform some classes into special classes for 2-year-olds to increase parents' choices. It is emphasized that the Ministry of Education will continue to add public kindergartens according to the actual needs of each administrative region, and reduce the burden on families through measures such as extended care, childcare subsidies and school subsidies.
In order to adapt to the schedule of dual-income families, Wang Huiqiu said that since 2024, she has assisted local governments in promoting extended care on weekdays and extra care during winter and summer vacations in public kindergartens, charging a fixed fee. The current extended care operation rate reaches 95%. In addition, since 2021, government agencies and public enterprises have been promoted to set up employee childcare venues. As of this year, there are about 166 in total, allowing parents to balance work and childcare.
From 0 to 6 years old, the country is on the road to raising children together with 2.0. Kindergarten tuition fees and child care subsidies are reviewed at one time. (Picture provided by the Ministry of Education)
From 0 to 6 years old, the country is on the road to raising children together with 2.0. Kindergarten tuition fees and child care subsidies are reviewed at one time. (Picture provided by the Ministry of Education)
