BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- 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.
Zhang Wenbin, a senior official with the ministry, said public kindergartens should also enroll children with disabilities who can adapt to kindergarten life, amid efforts to better protect the right to education.
Zhang made the remarks at a press conference to discuss the preschool education law, which the national legislature adopted on Friday.
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. ■
