Teacher Li Tianyi teaches children to draw patterns of blue-and-white porcelain on paper plates at Shanwang kindergarten in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 29, 2023. Shanwang kindergarten has set up many workshops for children to learn about traditional Chinese culture. Kids could receive various art education like shadow play, traditional Chinese painting and tie-dye techniques from teachers according to their interests.(Photo: Xinhua)

Kindergarten teachers and relevant staff must be registered with educational authorities and undergo background checks and health exams, according to the new preschool education law interpreted by China's Ministry of Education on Monday. The law bans from hiring individuals with backgrounds that could harm children's well-being, including those with criminal records for abuse, sexual assault, drug use, gambling or other crimes, as well as those with a history of alcoholism or serious ethical violations.

China's Ministry of Education held a press conference on Monday to interpret the newly released preschool education law, which focuses on improving the quality of the teaching workforce and specifies the qualification requirements for kindergarten teachers and relevant staff.

The new law requires strengthening staffing and establishing standards for teacher and staff allocation, mandating that kindergartens and their founders adhere to these standards when hiring personnel.

It stipulates that the hiring of kindergarten teachers and staff must be filed with the educational administrative department, along with background checks and health examinations. Individuals whose backgrounds pose a potential risk to children's physical and mental well-being or are unsuitable for preschool education are prohibited from being hired.

Two categories of people are prohibited from employment in preschool education: individuals with criminal records for abuse, sex assault, sex harassment, trafficking, drug use, gambling and other offenses; and those with a history of alcoholism or serious violations of professional ethics, or other behaviors that may harm children's safety.

The law also emphasizes the importance of equitable compensation, requiring kindergartens and their founders to ensure appropriate wages and benefits for staff. It mandates that public kindergarten teachers' salaries be included in fiscal support, and that kindergarten teachers receive comparable treatment to primary and secondary school teachers in terms of job titles, promotions, and other benefits.

Furthermore, the law calls for improved training for preschool education professionals. It stipulates that the government and relevant departments should create comprehensive teacher training plans and offer various forms of professional training.

The law stipulates accountability for actions such as physical punishment, disguised physical  punishment, discrimination, and the humiliation of children by kindergarten staff. The law demands that kindergartens or relevant authorities enforce suitable legal actions according to severity of the situation.

Global Times