China’s Kindergarten Crisis: School Closures and Declining Enrollments

China is experiencing a significant decline in the number of kindergartens, with many schools closing and enrollments dropping. This development threatens the education system and jobs, as economic challenges and government regulations contribute to the crisis.

The kindergarten education sector in China is undergoing a severe crisis, with a steep decline in the number of operating schools, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. Many schools are on the verge of closure, posing serious challenges for students as the new academic session approaches.

Data from the Ministry of Education reveals that the number of kindergartens has decreased from 294,832 in 2021 to 274,480 in 2023, resulting in the closure of 20,000 schools. For instance, Angels Kindergarten in a suburb of Shanghai, once a thriving institution, has shut down after 18 years of operation. The number of children enrolled in pre-schools has also dropped by 5 million to 40.92 million, the lowest since 2014, leading to the disappearance of over 170,000 full-time teaching jobs.

Factors such as a declining birth rate, poor job prospects for young people, and stringent government regulations are exacerbating the situation. Parents, like Li from Jiangsu, are finding it increasingly difficult to afford education for more than one child. The rising costs associated with child-rearing, coupled with potential changes in retirement policies that may diminish the role of grandparents in childcare, are further straining the system. In 2018, the State Council's decision to ban private kindergartens from listing on the stock market has also contributed to the sector's difficulties.

(With inputs from agencies.)