Developing Preschool Education

Guangming Daily January 29

With the arrival of the “two-child era,” preschool education becomes an even more difficult issue for most parents. For various reasons, children below the age of 3 are mostly taken care of by their families. Despite strong demand, it is extremely difficult for families to find qualified early stage education and care services for these toddlers.

The lack of preschool education resources, particularly for children up to 3 years old, is straining parents who are under huge pressure from daily life and work. This problem is not only affecting social productivity, but is also jeopardizing the future of the country’s next generation. This is discouraging people from having a second child, since it is already extremely difficult to raise just one. As a result, the two-child policy may not be able to achieve its desired effects, further accelerating the aging of China’s society.

In the long term, the government must take action to develop a sound system for encouraging the supply of preschool education and childcare services. All parties, including the government, companies, organizations, communities and individuals, should be encouraged to participate in building a diverse childcare service network. Premium preschool education should be included as one of the country’s basic public services.

Children are the future of a nation. The government should also improve supervision over preschool education services, ensuring the protection of children’s rights. For those families facing economic or other hardships, both the government and society should provide help so that their children can enjoy equal access to education and childcare services.