The Chinese government has approved a plan to augment the financial budget for disabled children studying in primary and middle schools. Instead of the usual 4,000 yuan, the Ministry of Education claims each child suffering with disability will now receive 6,000 yuan (US$926.40) annually.

There are more than 80,000 children with disabilities in the country who do not have access to formal education.The initiative is in line with the country's target that by the end of 2016, at least 90 percent of the children suffering with visual, hearing and learning disabilities will be offered free primary and middle school education.

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In addition, a yearly allowance of 650 yuan for each student will be given to the general primary schools situated in east China, while those enrolled in junior high school will be given 850 yuan. Students in the western part of the country will receive 50 yuan less.

The funds will be expended on the institutions' daily operations as part of the compulsory education, which is nine years. Furthermore, children from low-income families will be provided with additional financial assistance.

This move is part of the 2014 special needs education plan. Aside from the increased allocated budget, authorities have also committed to investing more particularly on infrastructure, well-trained teachers and a revised curricula.

The plan, which will commence in 2016, has been allocated over 11 billion yuan (US$1.7 billion) to ensure its success in primary and junior middle schools starting in 2016 spring semester.

There have been several controversies about how disabled children are being stigmatized in schools in the country. For example, 40 parents in Henan province had a boy expelled and stood against his admission. In 2012 in the southern part of Shenzhen, a similar incident happened where parents signed a petition demanding that a child leaves school. Both kids were stigmatized because they are suffering from autism. 

TagsSpecial education, education, children with disability, Autism