Special Needs Children of School-going Age

Debated in Parliament on 6 Aug 2018.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

As of December 2017, there were 30,000 students with special educational needs, with 80% in mainstream schools and 20% in special education (SPED) schools.
There are 19 SPED schools spread across the island, including in heartland areas, with three new campuses opened this year and more planned.
SPED schools cater to specific disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, or multiple disabilities, with specialized support for each need.
The government aims to ensure each child has a place in a suitable school, though some children may need to attend centralised specialised centres due to low numbers with specific needs.
Early intervention is emphasized, with many children diagnosed during preschool years and benefiting from early support.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Education (a) how many special needs children of school-going age are there currently; (b) how many of these children are enrolled in a school; (c) whether schools with places for special needs children can be made more accessible in heartland locations; and (d) what is being done to ensure that each child has a place in a school appropriate for the child's specific needs.

Ong Ye Kung

As at December 2017, there were 30,000 students with a reported Special Educational Need (SEN). About 80% of them are in mainstream schools and 20% are in Special Education (SPED) schools. Many children with SEN obtain a diagnosis during their preschool years – usually at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and the National University Hospital (NUH) Child Development Centres – and a majority of them benefit from early intervention.

Today, the 19 SPED schools are geographically spread across the island, with most SPED schools in heartland locations, such as Ang Mo Kio, Hougang, Jurong West and Yishun. Three additional SPED school campuses have started operations this year and additional SPED school campuses are being planned.

Amongst the 19 SPED schools are those that focus on the needs of students with a specific disability profile, as well as those which serve a range of disabilities. For example, a student with moderate to severe cerebral palsy would attend the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) school, a student with moderate to severe intellectual disability as well as autism could attend a Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) school, and a student with multiple disabilities and autism could attend a Rainbow Centre school.

Because the number of students with a specific SEN is not large, many are best served by central and specialised centres. This means that it may not always be possible to find a suitable SPED in the neighbourhood. That notwithstanding, over the years, we have made good progress towards ensuring that each child with SEN is able to attend a school that caters to his needs.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

As of December 2017, there were 30,000 students with special educational needs, with 80% in mainstream schools and 20% in special education (SPED) schools.
There are 19 SPED schools spread across the island, including in heartland areas, with three new campuses opened this year and more planned.
SPED schools cater to specific disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, or multiple disabilities, with specialized support for each need.
The government aims to ensure each child has a place in a suitable school, though some children may need to attend centralised specialised centres due to low numbers with specific needs.
Early intervention is emphasized, with many children diagnosed during preschool years and benefiting from early support.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Special Needs Children of School-going Age | PAPERCUTS

Special Needs Children of School-going Age

Debated in Parliament on 6 Aug 2018.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

As of December 2017, there were 30,000 students with special educational needs, with 80% in mainstream schools and 20% in special education (SPED) schools.
There are 19 SPED schools spread across the island, including in heartland areas, with three new campuses opened this year and more planned.
SPED schools cater to specific disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, or multiple disabilities, with specialized support for each need.
The government aims to ensure each child has a place in a suitable school, though some children may need to attend centralised specialised centres due to low numbers with specific needs.
Early intervention is emphasized, with many children diagnosed during preschool years and benefiting from early support.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah

Ong Ye Kung

Summary written by AI (learn more)

As of December 2017, there were 30,000 students with special educational needs, with 80% in mainstream schools and 20% in special education (SPED) schools.
There are 19 SPED schools spread across the island, including in heartland areas, with three new campuses opened this year and more planned.
SPED schools cater to specific disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, or multiple disabilities, with specialized support for each need.
The government aims to ensure each child has a place in a suitable school, though some children may need to attend centralised specialised centres due to low numbers with specific needs.
Early intervention is emphasized, with many children diagnosed during preschool years and benefiting from early support.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Special Needs Children of School-going Age

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah

Ong Ye Kung

Summary

Questions Identified

Special Needs Children of School-going Age

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah

Ong Ye Kung

Summary

Questions Identified