Developing rural public education services, such as providing preschool education, might prove a life-changing opportunity for children in rural areas, according to Lu Mai, Vice Chairman of the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF).  

"The early development of children is reported to boast the highest rate of return on investment," Lu said.  

Lu made the remarks at the Seventh International Conference on Poverty Reduction and Child Development in Beijing on July 24. Scholars and officials from home and abroad all shared their opinions and experiences on child development during the conference.  

China has made several achievements in the field of rural education, which is an important task in poverty relief and a crucial means to stop poverty being passed on from generation to generation. 

Moreover, according to a 2020 report from the Ministry of Education, over 40.6 million students in China’s rural areas have benefited from a national program on the nutritious improvement of rural students in compulsory education since 2011. 

The Seventh International Conference on Poverty Reduction and Child Development is held in Beijing on July 24 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

"However, we also need to look after these children’s mental development," Lu said. 

A girl named Tingting, who hails from a village in Bijie, Guizhou Province, has barely ever witnessed the faintest of smiles on the faces of her family members as many of them deal with disabilities, either physically or mentally. This led to Tingting's slow development in many aspects, even in terms of language skills. A program launched by the CDRF ensured she received no fewer than 120 home guidance and training sessions. And today, she’s performing well in kindergarten. 

Lu added that the cost of these 120 home visits over a period of two years came to some 7,000 yuan ($1,083); but they changed the life of this little girl.  

By now, China has eradicated extreme poverty and the country is steering its national strategy from poverty alleviation to rural revitalization. Lu hopes that a special program can be designed to promote early childhood development in rural areas by, for example, ensuring every village has one kindergarten, and the attending children receive nutritious meals. 

"I hope all related sectors can sit down together to discuss this issue as we still have a long way to go when it comes to child development," Lu added. 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon  

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