CPPCC member proposes free education from kindergarten to high school for third child

(ECNS) -- A professor from the West China Hospital, Sichuan University has suggested that China should provide free education from kindergarten to high school for the third child in order to encourage people to give birth.

Gan Huatian, also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the proposal before 2023 two sessions, the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the CPPCC.

Gan said he would submit the proposal on further optimizing the supply of supporting public services for fertility, which can help stimulate fertility and optimize population structure.

The proposal suggests that special education subsidies should be given to families with two or three children.

Currently, second-and-third-child policies have limited positive impacts on the overall fertility rate, said Gan.

He pointed out that many factors may influence fertility, but education and medical treatment are the two main factors.

“In fact, education expense is the most important obstacle to promote giving birth. Free education for the third child is a good choice and the financial department can afford this expenditure,” said Gan.

“Compulsory education has covered primary and junior high schools and people only need to pay the fees of kindergarten and senior high school for the third child,” Gan added.

He stressed that free education for the third child won’t cause a financial burden, which is feasible and beneficial for fertility as well.

The first session of the 14th NPC is scheduled to open on March 5, and the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee is set to begin on March 4.