KULAI MP Teo Nie Ching has urged the Education Ministry (MOE) to adopt international best practices and be more committed to enrolling more students with special needs in preschool education.
Teo said that based on a parliamentary reply from Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin dated March 24, 2022, out of 7,700 primary schools in the country there are only 192 (or 2.5%) primary schools that offer specific preschool education classes dedicated to special education needs students.
Meanwhile, the total number of students with special education needs enrolled with MOE is a mere 1,132, she added.
“While some of the students with special needs receive their preschool education in private education institutions, the fees charged by these institutions are rather high for some, and completely unaffordable for many,” Teo said.
“That’s why it is pertinent for MOE to expand its special education preschool classes in all the primary schools.”
Teo who is the deputy education minister under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration also said that early identification is crucial for children with special needs as early intervention and treatment of developmental issues are their best chance of having the greatest improvement.
“In the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025, MOE is tasked with developing a curriculum that allows for adaptation to the specific requirements of special education needs children and to equip them with life skills in preparation for adult/working life,” she explained.
“To achieve that, MOE also needs to ensure there are sufficient number of well-trained teachers, specialists and resource personnel to aid and educate special education needs students.”
According to Teo, Article 28 of Malaysia’s Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 affirms that special needs children are to be given the necessary support to facilitate their “full and equal participation in education”.
“In other words, those with special needs must have access to mainstream schools and mainstream schools with an inclusive orientation are the most effective means of overcoming discriminatory attitudes, creating welcoming communities and building an inclusive society,” she added.
“The MOE should therefore adopt the international best practices and be more committed to enrolling more students with special needs in preschool education.” – April 7, 2022
