By Li Yutong, China Development Research Foundation & She Yu, Research Department of Social Development, DRC

Research Report, No.207, 2021 (Total 6272) 2021-7-26

Abstract: The implementation of the China Rural Education and Child Health Project (hereinafter referred to as China REACH) for early childhood development in border ethnic minority areas boasts great significance, which not only serves as an important work to ensure and improve local livelihood, but also plays a fundamental role in maintaining local long-term stability and realizing the sustainable social and economic development. China REACH Project launched by China Development Research Foundation (CDRF) in Jeminay county in Altay prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Nyemo county in Lhasa of Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region has offered important references to the implementation of early childhood development project and the advancement of the pilot trials relating to early childhood development in border ethnic minority areas. In the meantime, the project has brought with it some common problems and challenges which require continuous efforts to seek solutions. To this end, this paper has raised the following policy options. One, tailored measures need to be taken to enhance the cohesion of early childhood development project with the local development; two, efforts need to be made to push ahead with the sustainable development of early childhood development project by rolling out certain policies; three, the combination of early childhood development project with national special projects at different stages needs to be promoted so as to attract more resources; four, the relevant resources need to be integrated with multiple measures to form joint efforts from all walks of life for the promotion of the project.

Keywords: early childhood development project, the China Rural Education and Child Health Project (China REACH), border ethnic minority areas, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region