China's special-grade teachers in middle and primary schools
will receive an monthly allowance of 300 yuan beginning from
January 1, 2008, up from 80 yuan in the previous year, according to
a decision by China's State Council.
"All the funds needed for the allowance paying at public schools
will be listed as financial budget," said an official with Ministry
of Personnel.
The allowance improvement demonstrated the government's care for
special-grade teachers and the education development for the
country, said the official.
Special-grade is the highest professional and honorary titles
for Chinese primary and middle school teachers. It is a recognition
of both professional capacity and dedication.
The professional titles of teachers begin from third-grade,
second-grade and first grade teachers to senior teachers and
special-grade teachers.
According to figures from the Ministry of Education, there are
some 20,000 special-graders teachers in China, out of some 10
million primary and middle school teachers.
The allowance for special-grade teachers was introduced by the
government in 1993.
(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2007)