The Shanxi Provincial Department of Finance has announced the early allocation of 1.04 billion yuan ($147.2 million) in central and provincial subsidies for early childhood education in 2026.

The funds include 309 million yuan for tuition fee exemptions, 665 million yuan for improving educational quality, and 64 million yuan for preschool child assistance. These funds are being directly transferred to cities and counties to ensure swift implementation and effectiveness.

The allocation aims to reduce family education costs and address public concerns efficiently through direct tuition fee exemptions and child assistance funds. The education quality improvement funds are also being directed to rural areas and regions that have recently emerged from poverty. This supports the standardized construction of public-benefit kindergartens and enhances the quality of teaching staff, promoting the balanced development of early childhood education across urban and rural areas.

The provincial finance department will continue to strengthen funding guarantees and improve investment efficiency, ensuring the precise and effective use of education development funds, delivering education that meets the needs and expectations of the people, and benefiting numerous families across Shanxi.