As the chill of late autumn descends, the vibrant atmosphere at the Guangxi Yulin Special Education School is palpable. Spanning 18.3 acres, the campus is adorned with lush trees and equipped with comprehensive facilities. Here, 511 students with various disabilities receive holistic care and education, supported by 168 dedicated staff members who provide both love and expertise, fostering hope for these remarkable children.
Recently, the China Disabled Persons’ News Promotion Association and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Disabled Persons’ Federation organized a “Central Media Goes to the Grassroots” event, which allowed us to explore the warmth and transformation experienced by disabled children at Yulin Special Education School.
In the rehabilitation training room, we met Xiaoming (a pseudonym), a child with autism who struggled to communicate when he first enrolled. After undergoing rehabilitation training for some time, he can now greet teachers and classmates with confidence.
At the Special Olympics roller skating training area, four spirited young men were engaged in intensive training. All were students with moderate intellectual disabilities who had previously faced challenges in communication, cognition, and motor coordination.
“At the beginning, they could barely stand steadily, but these kids have shown tremendous effort. Through long-term individualized rehabilitation training, not only have their physical abilities improved, but they’ve also revealed athletic potential,” reflected Liang Jinquan, the school’s vice principal, with pride and satisfaction as he recalled the students’ development.
In the vocational skills classroom, we observed students diligently studying foot massage and therapy techniques. Among them were also successful graduates like Qin Guankan and Ning Zhongyu, both visually impaired. Qin has opened a blind massage center in Nanning, expanding to employ twelve blind massage therapists, while Ning partnered with friends to launch a massage business in Yulin and recently established his own blind massage parlor, creating eight jobs for blind therapists.
“The skills I learned at this school have armed me for societal engagement. I hope to help others like me,” Qin expressed during our interview, grateful for the nurturing he received that allowed him to realize his potential.
In a corner of the campus, we witnessed heartwarming scenes of teachers and students collaborating on art and craft projects. “We focus not only on knowledge acquisition and skill development but also on students’ mental well-being and interests, helping each child discover their unique strengths,” Liang emphasized.
“We are committed to the mission of laying a foundation for the happy lives of children with disabilities, guided by the principles of nurturing happy teachers, students, and families,” Liang stated. He added that the school continuously aims to provide the highest quality education and rehabilitation services by integrating medical and educational resources, promoting sports rehabilitation activities, and fostering community engagement.
In recent years, under the care of various stakeholders, the quality of education at Yulin Special Education School has improved significantly, achieving remarkable results in sports, vocational training, and integrated therapeutic education. As a designated district-level institution for rehabilitation training for intellectually disabled (autistic) students aged 0-17 in Guangxi, the school supports around 330 students annually with noticeable results.
Kuan Zhaomei, chairperson of the Yulin Disabled Persons’ Federation, highlighted that the school aims for personalized development through technology-assisted support and precise rehabilitation. It is dedicated to providing exceptional special education services for countless disabled students, ensuring that every special child has the opportunity to shine in life. With continued support from the community, there is hope for a brighter future for these exceptional children.
