Debated in Parliament on 4 Jan 2021.
Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for Education (a) whether all schools are able to cater for students with physical disabilities; and (b) if not, whether a child with physical disabilities will therefore be limited by the choice of his or her school based on whether or not a school can cater to their particular needs.
All primary and secondary schools are equipped with basic handicapped facilities for students with physical disabilities such as handicapped toilets. Over the years, many schools have also been provided with lifts to enhance accessibility as part of their upgrading, and MOE will be implementing a lift installation programme to cover all remaining older school buildings that lack lifts.
In addition to providing schools with basic barrier-free accessibility, we will also ensure a good spread of schools island-wide with full barrier-free accessibility. There are currently 64 primary schools, 34 secondary schools and 4 Junior Colleges/Centralised Institute island-wide with full barrier-free accessibility for students with physical disabilities. A list of these schools is available on the MOE website and in the information guides distributed to all parents for Primary 1 Registration and Secondary 1 Posting. This list of schools will steadily increase as all new schools and schools undergoing major upgrading will also be outfitted with lifts and slope ramps to achieve full barrier-free accessibility.
Apart from infrastructural facilities, MOE has also made available assistive learning provisions, such as adjustable furniture, to help students with physical disabilities in their learning. In addition, MOE collaborates with Social Service Agencies to provide transition and support services for such students, including assessing and advising students on educational accommodations and how they can better access school activities.
MOE will continue to ensure that students with physical disabilities in our schools are well supported in their learning.
PAPERCUTS