Proposal for Government to Increase Funding for Special Education Schools

Debated in Parliament on 11 Feb 2019.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Ong Teng Koon proposed increasing government funding for Special Education (SPED) schools to expand means test criteria and help families manage educational expenses for children with special needs.
Ong Ye Kung highlighted that SPED schools already receive significantly higher funding than mainstream schools, with regular reviews and steady increases to address different learning needs and rising costs.
The government subsidizes a substantial proportion of SPED costs, provides a Financial Assistance Scheme covering fees and other expenses, and has revised eligibility criteria to support more low-income families.
Schools can exercise discretion to extend support to families who may not meet formal eligibility criteria, ensuring cost does not hinder access to SPED education.
The government commits to collaborating with voluntary welfare organizations running SPED schools to maintain affordability and accessibility for all students.

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Full Transcript

Ong Teng Koon

Mr Ong Teng Koon asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider increasing Government funding for Special Education (SPED) schools in order to expand the means test criteria for the scheme so as to help families cope with the educational expenses of raising children with special needs.

Ong Ye Kung

Government funds Special Education (SPED) schools at significantly higher levels than the mainstream schools, so that they can meet the different and unique learning needs of their students. The Ministry of Education also reviews funding for our SPED schools regularly with the National Council of Social Service, taking into account manpower costs and the requirements of different special educational needs (SEN).

Over the last few years, overall Government funding for SPED schools has increased steadily, as funding per student is raised and more students are diagnosed with SEN. Today, the Government subsidises a substantial proportion of the cost of educating a student with SEN.

Notwithstanding, the cost burden to lower-income Singaporeans with children with SEN is still significant. To support them, we have a SPED Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS), which covers school fees, textbooks, uniforms and transport subsidies. Students on the scheme SPED FAS also qualify for the School Meals Programme, which subsidises the cost of meals in school. We had revised the income eligibility criteria for the scheme in 2018 so that more low-income families would benefit. Schools are also provided funds to exercise discretion and extend support to those who for some reason do not meet the eligibility criteria for SPED FAS.

The Government will continue to work closely with the parent voluntary welfare organisations running our SPED schools to ensure that cost is not an impediment to access SPED schools.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Ong Teng Koon proposed increasing government funding for Special Education (SPED) schools to expand means test criteria and help families manage educational expenses for children with special needs.
Ong Ye Kung highlighted that SPED schools already receive significantly higher funding than mainstream schools, with regular reviews and steady increases to address different learning needs and rising costs.
The government subsidizes a substantial proportion of SPED costs, provides a Financial Assistance Scheme covering fees and other expenses, and has revised eligibility criteria to support more low-income families.
Schools can exercise discretion to extend support to families who may not meet formal eligibility criteria, ensuring cost does not hinder access to SPED education.
The government commits to collaborating with voluntary welfare organizations running SPED schools to maintain affordability and accessibility for all students.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Proposal for Government to Increase Funding for Special Education Schools | PAPERCUTS

Proposal for Government to Increase Funding for Special Education Schools

Debated in Parliament on 11 Feb 2019.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Ong Teng Koon proposed increasing government funding for Special Education (SPED) schools to expand means test criteria and help families manage educational expenses for children with special needs.
Ong Ye Kung highlighted that SPED schools already receive significantly higher funding than mainstream schools, with regular reviews and steady increases to address different learning needs and rising costs.
The government subsidizes a substantial proportion of SPED costs, provides a Financial Assistance Scheme covering fees and other expenses, and has revised eligibility criteria to support more low-income families.
Schools can exercise discretion to extend support to families who may not meet formal eligibility criteria, ensuring cost does not hinder access to SPED education.
The government commits to collaborating with voluntary welfare organizations running SPED schools to maintain affordability and accessibility for all students.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Ong Teng Koon

Ong Ye Kung

The Government will continue to work closely with the parent voluntary welfare organisations running our SPED schools to ensure that cost is not an impediment to access SPED schools.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Ong Teng Koon proposed increasing government funding for Special Education (SPED) schools to expand means test criteria and help families manage educational expenses for children with special needs.
Ong Ye Kung highlighted that SPED schools already receive significantly higher funding than mainstream schools, with regular reviews and steady increases to address different learning needs and rising costs.
The government subsidizes a substantial proportion of SPED costs, provides a Financial Assistance Scheme covering fees and other expenses, and has revised eligibility criteria to support more low-income families.
Schools can exercise discretion to extend support to families who may not meet formal eligibility criteria, ensuring cost does not hinder access to SPED education.
The government commits to collaborating with voluntary welfare organizations running SPED schools to maintain affordability and accessibility for all students.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Proposal for Government to Increase Funding for Special Education Schools

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Ong Teng Koon

Ong Ye Kung

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Proposal for Government to Increase Funding for Special Education Schools

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Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Ong Teng Koon

Ong Ye Kung

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