The government will cover preschool education expenses for all 5-year-olds from next year as part of efforts to help lessen the burden of childcare, which is blamed as one of the reasons for the nation's low birth rates, officials said Tuesday. The ministries of education and health jointly announced a plan to expand the child support program. Currently, only children aged 5 from low-income families are entitled to a state subsidy of 177,000 won (US$163) a month.