SPECIAL EDUCATION (SPED) SCHOOLS

SPECIAL EDUCATION (SPED) SCHOOLS

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(Number of applications and school places): **

21.

Assoc. Prof. Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Education (a) how many applications were received annually for places in Special Education (SPED) schools for the past three years and how many of these were allocated places; and (b) what is the total number of Government and private SPED schools and the total number of school places available currently.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: In the past three years, an average of 550 children per year were placed in the 20 SPED schools operated by voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and co-funded by MOE and National Council of Social Services (NCSS). The schools received about 850 applications. Parents have the choice to approach any of the SPED schools to apply for admission and some parents make multiple applications. This largely explains why the number of applications exceeds the number of children allocated places. If an applicant does not gain admission into a particular school because of a lack of fit with the admission criteria, the child will be referred to another school which can better meet his or her needs. Every child who applies for admission should be able to find a place in one of the SPED schools.

All, except one, SPED schools have sufficient places to meet the demand for admission. Pathlight School, which serves autistic children who are able to access the mainstream curriculum, has a wait list. Students in the wait list are currently enrolled in other SPED or mainstream schools. Parents of these children have been advised that there are sufficient places in other SPED schools catering to children with autism. Children with mild autism could also remain in mainstream schools with Allied Educators who can help to support their learning.

The current capacity of the 20 SPED schools is 6,700, of which 4,900 places have been filled. There are sufficient SPED school places across the different disability types, including autism. MOE will continue to monitor the vacancies in each SPED school carefully and will work with schools to cater to demand for places for the different disability groups.

There are five private SPED schools registered by the Council for Private Education. These schools offer about 500 places.

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