Average Wait Time for Placement in Special Education School from Application to Decision

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the average wait time for a place in a Special Education school (SPED) from application to decision; (b) whether the Ministry plans to increase SPED school places; and (c) what are the main constraints in expanding capacity.

For enrolment to start Primary 1 in 2025 at a Special Education (SPED) school, the average processing time from submission of the application to the confirmation of a place for the child in a SPED school is six months. In some cases where an alternative school had to be identified due to vacancy constraints, the wait time could be longer.

Whilst most of the students in SPED do start school on the first day of the school year, there are students who may have to begin school at a later date, as the schools require additional time to recruit teachers and expand their capacity to enrol more students.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) works closely with the Social Service Agencies (SSAs) that run SPED schools to monitor the capacity and demand for schools, and the wait time for enrolment. Between 2022 and 2024, the total number of SPED school places increased from 7,300 to 8,300, supported by the opening of seven additional new SPED schools. Over the period from 2026 to 2030, the total number of places will increase to about 10,000, supported by the expansion of existing schools and the opening of one more new school.

To support growth in the SPED sector, MOE works closely with SSAs to attract and retain teachers and teacher aides by implementing the enhanced salary guidelines under the SPED Teaching Profession: Journeys of Excellence Package 2.0, announced in 2024, in addition to strengthening professional development opportunities. MOE continues to encourage individuals open to pursue a promising and purposeful career educating children with special educational needs to join the sector.