No examinations or tests in any form will be allowed for preschool-aged children to be enrolled into kindergartens, China's Ministry of Education vowed on Monday.
The Ministry of Education held a press conference in Beijing on Monday to explain the preschool education law, which the national legislature adopted on Friday.
The ministry will enhance professional guidance for kindergartens to ensure that playing games is their primary activity and encourage them to create rich educational environments to support the children's active exploration and learning and promote their healthy and happy growth by playing games.
The ministry will optimize the distribution of resources, especially by increasing the availability of public preschools in areas with population influx. It will also strengthen the monitoring of preschool enrollment demand and supply in regions with large population mobility, ensuring that demand is effectively met while avoiding resource waste.
In areas where conditions allow, local authorities will be encouraged to optimize class sizes and student-teacher ratios and improve the quality of preschool facilities to achieve a higher level of resource allocation, according to the ministry.
Local governments at all levels are required to ensure that preschool-age children can conveniently access preschool education in areas near places where their parents or guardians work or live.
The new law, which will take effect on June 1, 2025, stipulates that preschool education refers to the nursing and education services provided by kindergartens and other institutions for children aged three and above before they go to primary school.
The legislation states that preschool education is an integral part of the national education system and an important undertaking for social welfare.
China has seen a rapid development in preschool education in recent years. Nearly 40.93 million children were enrolled in kindergartens across the country last year, accounting for 91.1 percent of all preschool-aged children, according to the ministry.
Removing preschool exams and tests also marks another step towards reducing the academic burden on Chinese kids and students. In 2021, China issued a document proposing the "double reduction" policy to reduce excessive homework and after-school tutoring hours for primary and junior high school students.
Kindergarten students should not be tested: education ministry
A survey of 1,551 respondents from China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) showed that the successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" in the SAR is highly recognized by local people, who believe it to be the best system for maintaining long-term prosperity and stability in the region.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the central government's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Macao, the China Global Television Network (CGTN), in collaboration with the Center for Macao Studies, conducted a survey on the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" in Macao.
In the evaluation of satisfaction with Macao's economic and social development, 93.9 percent of respondent approved the performance of the Macao SAR government in recent years. A total of 91.9 percent stated that the political rights and freedoms of the people in Macao are fully protected, and 90.8 percent praised the significant improvement in social welfare levels in Macao.
Data shows that Macao's GDP has increased by 7.3 times from 1999 to 2023. In 2023, trade between the Chinese mainland and Macao reached 3.84 billion U.S. dollars, growing 4.3 times compared to that before its return to the motherland. As of October this year, direct investment from the mainland to Macao totaled 14.19 billion U.S. dollars.
In the survey, 94.3 percent of respondents expressed that strong support from the mainland has been crucial to Macao's prosperity and development. Additionally, 92.7 percent of them deeply feel that Macao's ties with the mainland are getting increasingly close.
So far, Macao has established stable economic, trade and cultural relations with over 120 countries and regions. The number of international organizations and institutions that Macao participates in has increased to more than 190, and it now enjoys visa-free or visa-on-arrival privileges with 147 countries and regions. A total of 92.5 percent of respondents believe that Macao's unique advantage lies in being backed by the motherland and connected to the world.
In the survey, 92.2 percent of respondents believe that the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Macao has been successful. The top three reasons behind this viewpoint are: "People of Macao governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy, which suits Macao's realities; the central government's comprehensive support for Macao; and the patriotism and enterprising spirit of Macao's residents.
A remarkable 93.9 percent of respondents expressed confidence in the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" and "the people of Macao governing Macao."
In the survey on the recognition of the concepts and achievements of the Chinese path to modernization, respondents rated achievements in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, cultural development, social security and education with scores above seven out of 10.
Additionally, 93 percent of respondents stated that since Macao's integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, there has been an increase in visitors, more convenient exchanges and more investment attracted.
A total of 93.8 percent of respondents believe that China's modernization offers great opportunities for Macao, while 93.3 percent expressed confidence that the central government will maintain Macao's long-term prosperity and stability. Some 92.6 percent of them are optimistic about Macao's future development prospects.
Macao manifests strong vitality of 'One Country, Two Systems': poll
