President Lai Ching-te visited the Haiguang Nonprofit Preschool for Employees’ Children of the Navy Command, Ministry of National Defense in Kaohsiung this morning. He outlined the government’s childcare policies and subsidies, expressing hope that these measures would ease the financial burden on families, promote equal access to education, and help young people “marry with confidence, have children willingly, and enjoy raising them,” thereby raising Taiwan’s birth rate.
President Lai was accompanied by Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo, Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao, and Chief of Navy Admiral Chiang Cheng-kuo. Upon arrival, the President first interacted with the children and told them the story of a raccoon from the picture book Bravery Soup, encouraging them to develop the courage to face challenges. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful. The President then joined the children’s parents for a discussion on childcare and education.
President Lai said the government continues to introduce policies encouraging young people to “marry with confidence, have children willingly, and enjoy raising them.” Under the “National Child Care for Ages 0-6” policy introduced during former President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration, families caring for children at home receive monthly childcare allowances of NT$5,000 for the first child, NT$6,000 for the second, and NT$7,000 for the third.
For children under the age of two enrolled in publicly supported childcare, the government provides monthly subsidies of NT$7,000 for the first child, NT$8,000 for the second, and NT$9,000 for the third. Families using quasi-public childcare services receive NT$13,000 per month for the first child, NT$14,000 for the second, and NT$15,000 for the third.
For children between the ages of two and six, parents of a first child enrolled in a public preschool pay only NT$1,000 per month. At nonprofit preschools, parents pay NT$2,000 per month for the first child and NT$1,000 for the second, while the third child attends free of charge. At quasi-public preschools, parents pay NT$3,000 per month for the first child, NT$2,000 for the second, and NT$1,000 for the third. The government covers all remaining costs. Approximately NT$120 billion is allocated each year to continually reduce the financial burden on parents and create a more family-friendly childcare environment.
President Lai added that since taking office, he has introduced tuition-free education at all senior high schools and vocational high schools, as well as tuition and fee subsidies for students attending private colleges and universities. Each private college or university student receives an annual subsidy of NT$35,000, while students from economically disadvantaged families receive an additional NT$15,000 to NT$20,000 per year. The central government recently introduced the “Growth Allowance for Children Ages 0–18.” From birth through age six, the central government provides NT$5,000 per child each month for parents to use. Between the ages of six and 18, parents may use half of the monthly allowance, while the government deposits the remaining NT$2,500 into a dedicated account. Over 12 years, NT$360,000 will be deposited into the account, with interest guaranteed at no less than the rate offered on a two-year time deposit. The funds can later be used for tuition, vocational training, or even as start-up capital for a business.
Reflecting on his own childhood, President Lai recalled seeing classmates leave school early to work in factories after their families encountered unforeseen difficulties. This experience strengthened his determination to “educational equality.” As Taiwan’s economy advances, the government has a responsibility to ensure that every child who wishes to study can do so, regardless of the family into which they were born. Education allows people to acquire professional knowledge, improve their lives, and contribute to a stronger society and nation. Through comprehensive policies, the government hopes both to ease the burden on families and promote educational equality, ensuring that every child has access to education.
Turning to improvements in childcare and employment conditions, President Lai said that in addition to allocating funds to support families, the government is encouraging central and local government agencies and state-owned enterprises to establish childcare centers and preschools. Private businesses are also being encouraged to establish quasi-public preschools, with government subsidies available to support them. This will give parents access to childcare near their homes or workplaces, enabling them to work with greater peace of mind. The government will continue systematically advancing educational equality and improving the childcare environment, with the aim of raising Taiwan’s birth rate.
At the conclusion of the visit, President Lai posed for photographs with the children, parents, and preschool staff. He then presented the preschool with 《Confidence in Science》storybook collection and distributed small gifts to the children.