NEIGHBOURHOOD PARK

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Education how many disabled children are waiting to enter the special schools and whether there is any plan to build more such schools.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Special schools are run by voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs) and funded jointly by Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National Council of Social Service. They cater to children with different disabilities.

Special schools admit children throughout the year although some schools restrict their intake to twice a year. There is currently a total enrolment of 2868 children. As at 1st June 1995, there were 343 vacant places available in the various special schools. The number of children being processed for admission was 279. Placement of children in special schools requires careful matching. Various factors have to be taken into consideration, such as, their specific disability, their functional age, preferred location of the schools, availability of suitable personnel and facilities.

The Government has approved funds for the development of a 400-capacity purpose-built school for the Movement of the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) to replace its Towner Gardens School which has a capacity of 285. Three other VWOs also have plans to replace their present schools with purpose-built facilities for children with disabilities. They are the Rainbow Centre, The Spastic Children's Association of Singapore and the Association for the Educationally Subnormal. When all these purpose-built schools are completed there will be an increase in capacity of around 700.

Mr Goh Choon Kang asked the Minister for National Development when will the planned neighbourhood park fronting Block 217 Serangoon Ave 4 be built, when will it be completed and what are its features.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: The design of the proposed neighbourhood park at Serangoon Avenue 4 is being reviewed. Construction is scheduled to start in early 1996 and is expected to complete by end 1997.

Facilities that have been planned for the park include a mini football field, facilities for senior citizens, children's play equipment and shelters for the public.