China Reviews New Law to Safeguard Preschool Children’s Rights
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress is considering a draft law to protect the rights and welfare of preschool children. The draft law includes provisions that emphasize child-centered education and prioritize the protection of children’s rights.
According to the Ministry of Education, kindergarten enrollment in China fell by 535,000 last year, the third consecutive year of decline. The total number of kindergartens reached 274,400, with 409 million children enrolled in these schools.
Tie Ning, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC (National People’s Congress), stressed that kindergarten education should be adjusted according to population changes. Tie Ning said, "China’s birth rate will continue to decline. It is very important to plan education resources scientifically to avoid wasting resources and to meet the demand for education," Tie Ning said.
The draft law requires kindergartens to give authorities and the public six months’ notice before closing. This is intended to allay concerns about sudden closures.
Yang Huifang, an NPC deputy from Hebei province, stressed the importance of planning resources for preschool education in line with the declining population. He suggested that high-quality private kindergartens should be included in the planning and that resources should not be wasted.
The draft law encourages the establishment of kindergartens for children aged 2-3. It also aims to facilitate the admission of children with disabilities to kindergartens.