三是改善硬件设施。财政部继续安排特殊教育补助资金5亿元，支持地方持续改善特殊教育学校办学条 件，配备特殊教育专用设备设施和仪器，推进融合教育等。 下一步，将深入贯彻落实党中央、国务院决策部署，支持和引导地方进一步加大投入力度，优化支出结 构，逐步提高特殊教育学校经费保障水平，提升学校办学能力水平，为残疾儿童接受高质量教育创造良 好的条件。 一是提高补助标准。2025年春季学期，支持地方将义务教育阶段特殊教育学校和随班就读残疾学生生均 公用经费补助标准由每生每年6000元提高至7000元，惠及约91万残疾学生，所需资金由中央与地方按比 例共同承担。 二是保障经费到位。要求各省级财政部门切实发挥统筹作用，督促指导市县财政部门按规定及时足额拨 付公用经费，严禁滞拨缓拨经费，严禁挤占、挪用、截留、克扣经费，确保提标政策落实到位。 （原标题：2025年下达资金42.5亿元财政部进一步加大对特殊教育学校支持保障力度） 经济观察网 据中国教育报网站，为贯彻落实党的二十大和二十届三中全会关于强化特殊教育普惠发展 的部署要求，财政部进一步加大对特殊教育学校支持保障力度。2025年下达资金42.5亿元，比上年增加 6.1亿元，增 ...

Group 1 - The training for "shadow teachers" aims to enhance the support for children with special educational needs in regular schools, addressing the increasing number of such children in recent years [1][4] - "Shadow teachers," also known as special education assistants, play a crucial role in helping special needs children adapt to the learning environment, requiring tailored approaches for each child's unique needs [2][3] - The training program includes expert instructors from various fields, such as education, psychology, and special education, to equip "shadow teachers" with the necessary knowledge and skills [2][4] Group 2 - The number of special needs children in Hangzhou is on the rise, with over 500 expected to enroll in regular classes in the West Lake District for the 2024 academic year, indicating a growing demand for specialized educational support [3][4] - The West Lake District is enhancing its educational infrastructure by adding new resource classrooms and focusing on developing a robust team of "shadow teachers" to meet the needs of special education [3][4] - The training not only provides professional knowledge but also fosters collaboration among educators, allowing them to share experiences and solutions to challenges faced in inclusive education [3][5]

Group 1 - The 2024 National Education Development Statistical Bulletin reveals a total of 470,000 schools in China, including 253,300 kindergartens and 152,800 private schools, continuing a decline of over 10,000 schools since 2023 [1] - In the early childhood education sector, the impact of declining birth rates is evident, with 25,330 kindergartens and 35.84 million children enrolled, reflecting a gross enrollment rate of 92.00% [1] - The number of kindergartens decreased by over 20,000 compared to 2023, with a significant drop in the number of inclusive kindergartens from 236,400 to 221,000, a reduction of more than 15,000 [1] Group 2 - The private education sector is facing challenges due to a continuous decline in birth rates, with the number of private schools decreasing from 167,200 to 152,800, a drop of nearly 15,000 [2] - In 2024, there are 46.22 million students enrolled in private schools, accounting for 16.13% of total enrollment, down from 49.40 million in 2023 [2] - The number of private colleges stands at 803, representing 25.75% of all colleges, with a decrease of over 3 million students compared to the previous year [2] Group 3 - The decline in birth rates and total population is directly impacting the private education sector, leading to a shift from rapid expansion to a focus on sustainable growth and differentiation [3] - The number of special education schools increased to 2,396, with 158,200 students enrolled, indicating a growing coverage and support for special education [3] - The number of special education students rose from 155,000 to 158,200, reflecting an upward trend in special education enrollment [3]

Core Viewpoint - The situation for children with autism is improving as mainstream schools open their doors, providing families with more options, but challenges remain in integrating these children into public educational institutions [2][3][4]. Group 1: Current State of Autism Education - The prevalence of autism in China is approximately 0.7%, with over 10 million individuals affected, including 3 to 5 million children aged 0-14 [4]. - There is a significant shortage of qualified rehabilitation teachers for autism, with only about 1000 certified professionals available to serve approximately 2500 children each [5][6]. - The survival of autism institutions is critical as they play a key role in the rehabilitation ecosystem for affected children [6]. Group 2: Challenges Faced by Autism Institutions - As public schools become more accessible, many parents prefer enrolling their children in these institutions, leading to enrollment difficulties for autism-specific institutions [3][14]. - The financial burden of rehabilitation is substantial for families, with many parents sacrificing their jobs to care for their children, and some families going into debt for treatment [17][18]. - Institutions are facing a price war, leading to reduced tuition fees, which may compromise the quality of education and rehabilitation services [21]. Group 3: Innovations and Future Directions - The introduction of "shadow teachers" aims to assist children with autism in mainstream schools, addressing the gap in specialized teacher training and resources [24]. - Despite the challenges, the founder of an autism institution remains hopeful and committed to improving the lives of children with autism, emphasizing the importance of continued support and development in this field [25][26].