New kidergarten regulation targets safety, child abuse

The Ministry of Education on Tuesday publicized a revised version of regulations on kindergarten education that includes clauses on abuse and safety.

"The staff should respect and care about their pupils. Abuse, discrimination and physical punishment is forbidden," according to the regulations, which are effective immediately.

Any other acts that may damage the physical and mental health of children, such as verbal abuse, are also prohibited, it said.

Pre-schools have had their reputations tainted by abuse and safety scandals in recent years. Dozens of children have been killed in accidents caused by buses carrying too many pupils. In 2014, several kindergartens were accused of dosing toddlers with medicine to boost attendance.

The regulation calls for the establishment of safety and inspection systems concerning entrance guards, transportation, food and drugs, as well as a responsibility tracking system and emergency response plans.

Pre-school staff must be safety conscious and have basic knowledge of first aid, it said, stressing they must "first protect the safety of the children in case of emergencies."

The equipment, facilities and entertainment and teaching materials should all be health-friendly.

The kindergartens should also conduct domestic abuse education and report any suspected abuse to police.

For the sake of children's health and sound management, the regulation said a kindergarten should accommodate no more than 360 children. Endit