Prime Highlights
- China plans to expand the scope of free education and evaluate extending compulsory schooling under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).
- The reforms aim to reduce household costs and support long-term talent development while improving educational equity.
Key Facts
- Tuition fees were removed for children in the final year of public kindergarten, benefiting around 12 million students.
- Compulsory education currently covers all 2,895 counties, with regional pilots in Beijing, Shandong, and Xizang preparing for a wider rollout.
Background
China is preparing to expand the scope of free education and assess whether its compulsory education system should be extended as part of the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). These reforms could become some of the most important changes in the country’s education policy in recent years. They aim to lower household costs and support long-term talent development.
The recommendations adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee call for steadily increasing the coverage of free education and adding more years to compulsory schooling. Momentum for these reforms grew after the State Council issued a guideline in August to begin rolling out free preschool education.
The policy took effect in the autumn semester and removed tuition fees for children in their final year of public kindergarten, benefiting around 12 million students. Experts say the step reflects a strategic shift toward improving educational equity and strengthening human development.
Gao Hang, vice-dean at Renmin University of China, said the reforms show the government’s commitment to investing in people. He noted that declining birth rates make it financially feasible to prioritise free preschool education, while expanding free high school education will require greater fiscal support.
Xue Eryong of Beijing Normal University said extending free education aims to broaden access to quality public services. He proposed gradually moving toward 15 years of free basic education, starting with three years of free preschool in regions with adequate resources.
However, experts emphasized that free education is different from compulsory education, which requires all children to attend school and receive the same quality of education. They warned that extending compulsory schooling poses challenges related to demographics, labour market needs, and public spending.
Despite these concerns, China has a strong foundation for reform. Compulsory education now covers all 2,895 counties, and regional pilot programs in places like Beijing, Shandong, and Xizang have prepared the country for wider national rollout.
