Crackdown ineffective on kindergarten fees

Education experts and residents have expressed doubts yesterday over new regulations which aim to crackdown on excessively high kindergarten charges.

The regulations released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Wednesday bans kindergartens from collecting extra fees like sponsorship money and maintenance fees from parents. Any kindergartens which charge extra will be punished.

"It's pointless to punish kindergartens without looking at the core of the matter. Resources are limited, distribution of equipment is unbalanced and classrooms are overcrowded citywide," said Chu Zhaohui, a researcher with the China National Institute for Educational Research.

Most government subsidies go to public kindergartens, especially the so-called "model kindergartens" with better teachers and facilities, which is unfair to the others, he added.

Kindergartens in Beijing are thought to not receive enough subsidies to survive and strive to make their own money amidst the restrictions.

"Between the small subsidies and minimal fees they are allowed, kindergartens struggle to survive, and are forced to collect extra fees," said An Lijuan, a deputy of the Municipal People's Congress who researches preschool education issues.

The government subsidizes 100 yuan ($16) monthly, per child, to attend a kindergarten. However, the kindergartens require an average of 1,200 yuan per child to survive, and can only charge 230 yuan in fees, An added.

"I paid 60,000 yuan in sponsorship to get my son into a public kindergarten in Haidian district, it took a long time and all my connections," said He Hui, father of a three-year-old from Fengtai district.

He believes that the new regulations won't work, as the government has said for years it will stop unauthorized fees but never acted.

"With new regulations and punishments, schools will simply find other ways to charge parents," he added.

Along with Wednesday's regulations, city authorities said yesterday that adjustments will be made to fee collection at public kindergartens before 2013.

The adjustments will, in part, combat unauthorized collection, said Zhao Guowei, media officer with the Municipal Education Commission.

"Beijing's fee collection standards were made in 1997 and no longer fit the current situation," Zhao said.

The adjustments will not necessarily mean kindergartens get more expensive, but will clarify charges, he added.