China eyes 97% school enrollment for disabled children by 2030

China has set a target to maintain the enrollment rate of school-age disabled children in compulsory education above 97 percent by 2030, according to a new action plan released on Monday.

The plan, released by the Ministry of Education and six other central government departments, outlines a comprehensive push to build a high-quality special education system that is inclusive, accessible and convenient, with the goal of enhancing disabled children's ability to integrate into society and pursue lifelong development.

The plan specifies five key tasks. The first is to expand resources for special education, including optimizing educational placement for disabled children, streamlining channels for further studies, and fully safeguarding their access to education.

The second task is to improve quality by deepening curriculum and teaching reforms, accelerating the enhancement of education for children with autism, strengthening professional support for special education, and integrating vocational education with employment pathways for disabled students.

Digital transformation is the third priority, with the plan encouraging the use of artificial intelligence to aid the development of special education.

The fourth task is to strengthen inclusive development by consolidating the funding mechanism for special education, improving school conditions and boosting the teaching workforce.

The fifth is to expand international exchanges and cooperation in the field of special education.

The plan calls for expanding opportunities for disabled students to receive education at the high school level and beyond. It supports the integrated cultivation of disabled students through secondary vocational schools and vocational undergraduate programs, and encourages special education secondary vocational schools to collaborate with higher vocational institutions to offer five-year programs.

It also supports universities in developing majors suitable for disabled students and actively admitting qualified candidates. Universities are required to strengthen academic support, living services and career guidance for disabled students.

In addition, the plan promotes the integration of vocational education and employment for disabled students, supporting the development of majors that cater to the learning characteristics and market demands of students with autism, intellectual disabilities and multiple other disabilities.

In terms of preschool education, the plan supports counties with a population of over 200,000 to operate one standard special education school and encourages qualified areas to build 15-year special education schools covering preschool through high school.

The plan also supports public kindergartens and regular primary and secondary schools to establish special education departments or classes, and encourages special education schools and child welfare institutions to set up preschool units or affiliated kindergartens.

Kindergartens and regular schools are required to prioritize admission for disabled children into their facility to enable them to adapt to campus life, following the principle of proximity and convenience.

Furthermore, local governments are encouraged to consider subsidies for kindergartens that enroll disabled children, according to the plan.