Recently, the news of the large-scale closure of kindergartens in many places has aroused widespread concern in the society. According to statistics, in 2022, the number of children in kindergartens nationwide decreased by 177 compared with the previous year660,000 people, a decrease of 37%。The total number of kindergartens in the country decreased by 5,610, a decrease of 19%, of which the reduction in private kindergartens is more significant. In Shanghai, Hainan, Fujian, Guangzhou, Xiamen and other places, there have been many kindergartens closed. Behind this phenomenon is the profound change in the demographic structure of our country and the great challenges facing the education system.
The main reason for the closure of kindergartens is the decline in the number of new students. In recent years, China's birth rate has continued to decline, falling below 10 million for the first time in 2022, to only 9.56 million. Experts predict that the number of new births in 2023 will be less than 8 million, and the continuous decline in the population will directly lead to the loss of students in kindergartens, and they have no choice but to close. This is a fatal blow to kindergartens, especially private kindergartens. Private kindergartens are generally characterized by high fees and general teaching quality, and it is difficult to attract enough parents and children in the face of competition from public inclusive kindergartens. Moreover, the operating costs of private kindergartens are also very high, including site rent, teacher salaries, equipment maintenance, etc., if there is no certain enrollment scale, it is difficult to maintain normal operation, and can only choose to shut down.
Kindergarten closures have both pros and cons for parents and children. On the one hand, the closure of kindergartens may lead to less choice for parents, especially for families who need to work dual-career jobs, and it will be more difficult to find the right kindergarten. Moreover, the closure of kindergartens may also affect children's development, and kindergartens are an important place for children to receive early education, which can cultivate children's sociality, creativity and autonomy, and if this environment is not provided, children's development may be affected. On the other hand, the closure of kindergartens may also be a redistribution of educational resources, which is conducive to improving the overall quality of kindergartens. With the change of demographic structure, the education department is also increasing investment and supervision of kindergartens, promoting the development of inclusive kindergartens, improving the level of teachers and teaching in kindergartens, and providing more and better choices for parents and children. Moreover, the closure of kindergartens may also promote the importance of family education, so that parents and children have more parent-child time, enhance mutual affection, and cultivate children's moral character and Xi.
The closure of kindergartens is a severe test for kindergarten teachers. Kindergarten teachers are the core strength of kindergartens and the main bearers of early childhood education. The closure of kindergartens means that the employment environment of kindergarten teachers is becoming more and more involuted, the pressure of competition increases, the income level declines, and the career development is hindered. If kindergarten teachers want to survive in such an environment, they must improve their professional quality and comprehensive ability, continue to learn new knowledge and skills, adapt to different educational concepts and models, and meet the needs Xi of different parents and children. At the same time, kindergarten teachers should also maintain their enthusiasm and responsibility for early childhood education, care for every child with their hearts, guide every child with love, inspire every child with wisdom, and lay a solid foundation for their growth.
In short, the large-scale closure of kindergartens in many places is a microcosm of China's demographic changes and a challenge for the education system. For parents, children and kindergarten teachers, it is a test of both opportunity and crisis. We should face up to this phenomenon, actively respond to it, and jointly promote the development of early childhood education from policy, society, family and other aspects, so as to lay a solid foundation for children's future.
100 help plan