2011年-世界发展银行全球_Early_Childhood_Development_and_Education_in_China___Breaking_the_Cycle_of_Poverty_and_Improving_Future_Competitiveness_134页_1mb

Summary of Report No. 53746-CN: Early Childhood Development and Education in China

Core Content

This policy note from the World Bank, published in January 2011, examines the importance of early childhood development and education (ECDE) in China, emphasizing its role in breaking the cycle of poverty and improving future competitiveness. It highlights the need for a more comprehensive and equitable approach to ECDE, especially for children aged 0-6, who are currently underserved in rural and poor areas.

Main Viewpoints

1. Importance of ECDE

• Neuroscience and Longitudinal Studies: Prenatal care and experiences from birth to age 6 significantly impact children's physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development.
• Economic Returns: ECDE yields the highest economic returns due to its long-term benefits on productivity and social cohesion. The internal rate of return for ECDE programs ranges from 7% to 18%, higher than returns on financial capital.
• Educational Attainment: Lack of access to ECDE, nutrition, and health care correlates with lower educational attainment, which reduces lifetime earnings and may lead to disruptive behavior.

2. Current Status of ECDE in China

• Maternal and Child Health: Significant progress has been made in maternal and child health, with a 3-6 age group gross enrollment ratio (GER) reaching 51% in 2009.
• Rural-Urban Disparities: Rural children, especially those from poor and ethnic minority families, are underserved. In 2008, only 43% of ECDE enrollment was in rural areas.
• Left-Behind Children: About one-third of rural children are left-behind due to parental migration, often cared for by less educated grandmothers, leading to developmental challenges.
• Health Indicators: Rural children show higher rates of malnutrition, stunting, and anemia compared to urban children. In 2008, under-5 mortality was 23 per 1,000 in rural areas, compared to 8 in urban areas.

3. Policy and Access

• Legal Framework: China has a legal framework that supports ECDE, including the National Guidelines on Family Education (2010), which emphasizes family education as a foundation for nation-building.
• Multi-Ministry Involvement: Several ministries, including the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health (MOH), and National Population and Family Planning Commission (NPFPC), are involved in ECDE.
• Service Delivery: ECDE services are primarily delivered by local governments, with the MOE responsible for policy and standards, and county/district governments for funding and service provision.
• Fiscal Challenges: Public expenditure on ECDE is minimal (0.01% of GDP in 2008), far below the OECD average. This limits access, especially for poor families.

4. Financing of ECDE

• Cost-Recovery Model: Most ECDE services are funded through cost-recovery, with private institutions accounting for about 60% of kindergartens and enrolling 40% of children.
• Fees and Costs: Monthly fees range from RMB 130 to 800 (US$19–118), with more expensive options including air-conditioning and bilingual education.
• Sponsorship Fees: Additional fees for equipment and infrastructure can be as high as RMB 12,000 per year (US$1,765), creating a financial barrier for low-income families.

5. Policy Implications

• Universalization of ECDE: ECDE should be universalized for children aged 0-6 to equalize opportunities and enhance future competitiveness.
• Pro-Poor Approach: The 12th Five Year Plan (2011-2015) should include ECDE as part of the anti-poverty program, with poverty monitoring incorporating child development outcomes.
• Equity and Access: Policy interventions are necessary to ensure equitable access, particularly for rural and poor children. Conditional cash transfers or vouchers could help stimulate demand.
• Community-Based Interventions: Cost-effective interventions in prenatal care, parenting education, health check-ups, and early stimulation are essential to improve service delivery and reduce disparities.

Key Information

• Economic Growth vs. Poverty: While China has achieved significant economic growth, the rural-urban income gap remains wide, with rural income at about one-third of urban income.
• ECDE Coverage: In 2008, ECDE accounted for 9.3% of total education enrollment, but public spending was only 0.01% of GDP.
• Provincial Variations: There are large variations in ECDE service provision and quality across provinces. For instance, the pupil-to-teacher ratio in rural areas ranges from 8:1 in Shanghai to 167:1 in Ningxia.
• Private Sector Role: Private institutions dominate ECDE provision, with about 60% of kindergartens being privately run.
• Household Survey: The Hunan Household Survey (2010) provided insights into the determinants of child development, highlighting the importance of parental involvement, health check-ups, and early stimulation.

Recommendations

• Universalize ECDE Services: Expand ECDE coverage to all children aged 0-6, especially in rural and poor areas.
• Integrate ECDE into Anti-Poverty Programs: Include ECDE in the 12th Five Year Plan, focusing on the extremely poor and left-behind children.
• Improve Public Funding: Increase public expenditure on ECDE to match international standards and ensure affordability for all families.
• Strengthen Service Delivery: Invest in training for caregivers and teachers, and improve the quality of ECDE services through community-based programs.
• Use Conditional Cash Transfers: Implement conditional cash transfer or voucher systems to increase access for low-income families.

Conclusion

The report concludes that ECDE is a critical component of China's human development strategy. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and enhance future productivity and social cohesion. A two-pronged approach, focusing on both service expansion and policy integration, is recommended to address the current gaps in ECDE access and quality.