Continuing Education Plans for Special Needs Children

Mr David Ong asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the status on achieving the vision of the new Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016, especially for our children with special needs; (b) whether the Special Education (SPED) schools are able to cope with the intake of students; and (c) what are the continuing education and lifelong enabling plans for persons with disabilities beyond their school-going years.

The recommendations of the 2012-2016 Enabling Masterplan (EM) cover a range of issues, including those relating to improving the quality, accessibility and

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affordability of Special Education (SPED).

To improve quality, we have reviewed the SPED curriculum and built teacher capacity.

The SPED Curriculum Framework was launched in 2012 to guide the design and delivery of curriculum in SPED schools. A well-designed curriculum will better enable SPED students to achieve quality living, learning and working outcomes. We have helped every SPED school to set up curriculum teams to translate the Curriculum Framework into quality learning experiences based on the student profile in the school. Schools have also set up Professional Learning Teams to support teacher-led curriculum innovation. MOE has supported these teams with training and consultancy in curriculum development. Curriculum improvement is a long-term undertaking and MOE will continue to work hand-in-hand with SPED schools to meet our students’ needs.

Skilful and committed teachers are essential if we are to teach well. To enhance the professionalism of teachers in the SPED schools, MOE has worked with the National Institute of Education (NIE) to introduce courses, such as the Diploma in Special Education and the Advanced Diploma in Special Education. MOE has also provided training funds to expand the opportunities for professional development for all SPED teachers. SPED schools have used these training funds to conduct workshops and support teachers’ participation in local and overseas conferences.

To address accessibility, MOE has been monitoring the SPED landscape and studying disability trends so that we could work with the SPED sector to provide sufficient places for students of different disabilities.

MOE has made significant investments in SPED school infrastructure over the years to increase the capacity of SPED schools catering to different disability profiles. We funded the construction of 15 purpose-built SPED schools and refurbished five SPED schools with customised facilities. We have also expanded the capacity of specific SPED schools to meet the rising demand for places catering to specific disabilities. For instance, in 2012, a new wing was constructed for Metta School and the new and larger campus for Delta Senior School was completed in 2013.

Overall, there are sufficient vacancies within the SPED schools for new student admissions. However, we are seeing an increase in the number of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and higher demand for schools catering to ASD. Some of these schools now have waitlists for admission. To reduce these waitlists, MOE is expanding the physical capacity of these ASD schools and working closely with the National Council of Social

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Services (NCSS) and SPED schools to recruit more teachers.

Moving forward, MOE, together with the NCSS, will continue to monitor SPED school places, infrastructure and manpower situation to ensure that all students with moderate to severe special educational needs have timely access to SPED schools.

MOE has also been working to enhance the SPED curriculum to better equip students with the knowledge and skills for independent living and integration into society.

We have introduced vocational education in SPED schools to develop work habits and skills that prepare students for work in a regular workplace so that they integrate better into society. Gainful employment can enable our SPED graduates who are capable of work to develop a sense of self-worth, independence and dignity.

We are also enhancing transition support for SPED students to post-school living, learning and working options in ways which are suited for different profiles of students. MSF recently set up SG Enable, which will look into enhancing training and employment options for adults with disabilities. MOE is working closely with MSF and SG Enable to better facilitate students’ transition from school to work and to expand the range of vocational training opportunities, work experience and employment opportunities for students.