SPORTS PROGRAMMES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PUPILS IN MAINSTREAM SCHOOLS

SPORTS PROGRAMMES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PUPILS IN MAINSTREAM SCHOOLS

35.

Ms Eunice Elizabeth Olsen asked the Minister for Education with more special needs pupils studying in mainstream schools, what sports programmes are there to cater to their all-round development.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Pupils with special needs are enrolled into mainstream schools if they can benefit from its curriculum. They include children with mild learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and mild autism and a smaller number of pupils with physical and sensory impairments.

All pupils with special needs in the mainstream schools have access to Physical Education (PE) and Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs). Similar to their peers, the extent to which they are able to develop their skills in sports does depend on their interest and aptitude.

To facilitate, the schools do customise CCA and PE activities to enable better participation. For example, for pupils with mild autism, the use of simple visual cues can enable the pupil to follow the routines and games instruction more effectively.

In addition, schools consult closely with parents of pupils with physical disabilities to understand the comfort and safety level of physically disabled pupil when engaging in sports or physical activities. This is to ensure that we do not place undue harm to the pupil or his peers.

For secondary schools designated to meet the needs of students with sensory impairment, the visually impaired (VI) and hearing impaired (HI) students who join these designated secondary schools are provided with an alternative CCA programme.

MOE and the schools also work with the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) to organise activities and competitions for the disabled students.