The Ministry of Education (MOE) recently released the Action Plan for the Development of Special Education During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period (2026–2030) (“Action Plan”) in conjunction with the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, National Health Commission, and China Disabled Persons’ Federation.

The Action Plan aims to make special education more inclusive, accessible, and convenient, while strengthening the capacity of children and adolescents with disabilities to integrate into society and achieve lifelong development.

The document outlines five major tasks:

First, resources for special education should be expanded and resource allocation should be optimized to enable students with disabilities to pursue secondary and higher education.

Second, the quality of special education should be improved, especially for children with autism, by advancing curriculum reform, enhancing professional support, and facilitating the integrated development of vocational education and employment.

Third, digitalization should be promoted to boost the development of special education.

Fourth, inclusiveness should be enhanced by improving the funding mechanism for special education, upgrading school facilities, and strengthening the special education teacher workforce.

Fifth, foreign cooperation in special education should be boosted.

In addition, the document emphasizes the need to enhance cross-sectoral coordination and encourage social participation while maintaining the leadership role of the government so as to create a supportive environment in which the whole society cares for and backs special education.