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)