A Study on the Current Situation and Optimization Strategies of Preschool Education Resource Allocation under the Background of Population Decline: Empirical Evidence from Chengdu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmsd.202612201

Author(s)

Hao Chen*, Ge Wang

Affiliation(s)

School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

Under the dual pressures of negative population growth and urban migration, the equitable allocation of preschool education resources is a vital metric of modern urban governance. This study utilizes 2024 resident population and road network data for Chengdu’s 12 central districts to evaluate the spatial accessibility and distributive equity of inclusive kindergartens. Employing the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method and Gini coefficients, the analysis reveals a "core-periphery" demand structure characterized by high-pressure central districts and service gaps in peripheral expansion zones. While resource totals are significant, high-quality provision exhibits centripetal polarization, creating a structural "access-quality" gap. Significant disparities exist between main and non-main urban areas, with Gini coefficients indicating substantial inequity in quality resource distribution. To enhance spatial justice, this paper proposes dynamic enrollment planning based on population forecasting, cross-district rotation to bridge quality gaps, and a restructured fiscal framework focused on teacher compensation to ensure sustainable, high-quality preschool provision in megacities.

Keywords

Inclusive Preschool Education; Population Decline; Resource Allocation; Spatial Equity

References

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