Beijing provides subsidies to kindergartens after child abuse scandal

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The Beijing municipal government will start providing financial subsidies to kindergartens this year in an attempt to improve services. The move comes after a recent scandal involving alleged child abuse by a teacher at a private kindergarten.

The local government said Wednesday that it would provide 1,000 yuan (154 US dollars) per child a month to the city's first-class public kindergartens, and 700 yuan per child a month to other kindergartens.

The new policy comes amid a tightening of supervision over kindergartens after a teacher surnamed Liu from the US-listed RYB Education New World kindergarten was arrested in December and subsequently charged with child abuse, accused of using sewing needles to “discipline” children who would not sleep. The scandal had caused widespread outrage in China.

The government will for the first time allow private kindergartens to join the kindergarten rating held by district education commissions.

In the past, only public kindergartens could join the rating, which is often related to different levels of government subsidies.

Children from Chang'a Kindergarten watch performance during an activity before International Children's Day in Beijing, China, May 26, 2017. /Photo via sina.com

The government said it would provide incentives to both public and private kindergartens starting this year, to increase enrollment by giving 10,000 yuan for increasing the student quota by one.

It will also offer rental subsidies to kindergartens, of 5 yuan per square meter per day, to increase space.

For private kindergartens to enjoy the subsidies, they must register as non-profit kindergartens and can only charge fees in accordance with the government-suggested prices.

The kindergartens are not allowed to raise fees to provide extra services or classes.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency