Special Educational Needs Students Studying in Mainstream Schools and Support Available

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Education (a) how many students with Special Educational Needs (SENs) are studying in mainstream schools due to being ineligible for Special Education schools; (b) what support is available if such students struggle to cope and find private schools unaffordable; and (c) whether a minimum ratio of Allied Educators in mainstream schools with expertise to work with SEN students will be established.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is committed to supporting all students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in quality educational settings that best meet their needs. As of December 2022, there were about 35,500 students with reported SEN. Of these, 80% were supported in mainstream schools. The remaining 20% have moderate to severe SEN and, therefore, were supported in Government-funded Special Education (SPED) schools. There are 24 Government-funded SPED schools and, by the 2030s, there will be 28 schools. MOE can assist students with moderate to severe SEN to be placed in a suitable SPED school that can better support their learning needs.

In mainstream schools, support for students with SEN is provided through inclusive classroom practices by all teachers, guided by key personnel overseeing the Case Management Team, alongside Teachers trained in Special Needs (TSNs) and dedicated SEN officers, previously known as Allied Educators specialising in Learning and Behavioural Support. Each primary school has two SEN officers, and each secondary school has one SEN officer. Additional SEN officers are deployed to schools with higher needs. MOE has increased the number of SEN officers from around 450 in 2017 to over 660 in 2022.