HEARING-IMPAIRED SINGAPOREANS

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Education (a) how many hearing-impaired children passed Primary School Leaving Examination and progressed to secondary school, pre-university and tertiary education from 1989 to 1998; (b) what kind of training and qualifications must teachers have to teach the hearing-impaired; and (c) what measures are adopted by his Ministry to provide the most conducive environment for our intelligent, deaf Singaporeans to lead an independent and meaningful life.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Children who have mild hearing impairment, and are able to cope in mainstream education study in mainstream schools. They are taught together with their peers. In addition, they are provided with help from resource teachers. Those who have severe hearing impairment attend special education schools where they receive an education customised to their specific disabilities.

According to available statistics for 1996-1998, the number of hearing impaired pupils who enter junior colleges and pre-university centres as well as other post secondary institutions has been on the rise. Between 1996-1998, the number of HI pupils attending secondary schools averages 186 per year. The number in junior colleges and pre-university centres rose from 7 to 17 pupils, while those in post-secondary institutions increased from 34 to 85 over the same period. Training Teachers

Teachers who are teaching hearing-impaired pupils in the special schools and designated school centres must have the basic Certificate of Education which is awarded by the NIE. In addition, they must undergo in-service training in NIE or in-house training which is conducted by the Singapore Association for the Deaf. The NIE also conducts Certificate in Special Education and the Diploma in Special Education for teachers who are teaching hearing-impaired pupils. Currently, 81% of teachers are trained, 6% are undergoing training and the rest are newly recruited teachers who will be sent for training.

School and Remedial Centres

Hearing impaired pupils who communicate through sign language attend 2 designated secondary schools (Boon Lay Secondary School and Upper Serangoon Secondary School). Resource teachers in these 2 schools use sign language to interpret lessons for the special pupils. Hearing-impaired pupils who are auditory oral attend mainstream schools and are given remedial help after school hours. From February 1999, they will be provided an appropriate remedial programme by resource teachers from MOE in 3 designated remedial centres - two primary schools (Ang Mo Kio North Primary and New Town Primary) and 1 secondary school (Delta Secondary). These teachers also act as counsellors to the pupils. These additional teachers help the HI pupils in their academic work as well as in their social and emotional adjustment in mainstream schools.

As part of our continual effort to help HI pupils, we are studying how IT can facilitate their learning. In mainstream schools, the HI pupils receive the same resources as other pupils. We are looking into additional IT help for HI schools run by Voluntary Welfare Groups. We are also looking into the feasibility of providing FM equipment for HI pupils who can benefit from the system. We are studying the range of FM equipment that are available before we decide on the most appropriate system for our school centres.

My Ministry is committed to providing the most conducive environment for our hearing impaired pupils in our schools and is constantly looking into ways to support them with resources.