China is a country with a huge population. In 2015, the total number of kindergartens was 224,000 and the number of preschoolers (aged between three and six) was 42.648 million, with the national gross enrollment rate as 75%.... [ view full abstract ]
China is a country with a huge population. In 2015, the total number of kindergartens was 224,000 and the number of preschoolers (aged between three and six) was 42.648 million, with the national gross enrollment rate as 75%. At the same time, the number of full-time preschool teachers was 2.051 million. As the most extensive system of preschool education in the world, its sound operation becomes a challenge issue, and calls for attention from the government and society as well as sustained investment. Since 2010, the Chinese Government has formulated and implemented a series of important policies in preschool education, which effectively promoted its. Over the past 7 years, preschool education has been a hot topic and the concerns of the public in China.
Awareness guides action. In addition to available financial resources, an important factor that may affect government's investment in preschool education includes the government’s awareness of the importance of preschool education. Chinese Government defines preschool education as “the beginning of lifelong learning, an important part of the national education system, and an important social welfare undertaking” in The Opinions of the State Council on Current Development of Preschool Education.
The development of preschool education in China is also facing new challenges. For instance, the change of population policy has brought new pressure to preschool enrollment. Rapid development of preschool education in the past years has brought the problem of teacher shortage. At the same time, the public funding for preschool education only accounts for 3.5% of the total financial educational funding, which calls for further financial support from government. Therefore, preschool education in China still faces difficulties and its development requires the continuous efforts of the government and the whole society.
