Find ways to develop more special needs centres – Jainab
KOTA KINABALU: The people have been urged to seek other alternatives in developing more education centres for special needs pupils and not to rely solely on government assistance.
Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said the government had already provided various facilities for disabled people at all school levels as well as the community level.
“There are some who complain and request for a new school for special needs people, but we have to understand that these groups comprise various categories such as deaf and mute, slow learner and so on, and besides, skilled teachers to teach them must also be found.
“So, we hope that the community, especially parents of these special groups, will not look at their disabilities as a barrier but maximise the usage of what they presently have while waiting for other alternatives,” she said when met after opening the International Deaf Day 2017 celebration at Suria Sabah here yesterday.
At the same time, Jainab also called on all parties including private agencies to cooperate with the Government, especially the Ministry of Education (MOE) to assist these special needs people.
She said that the collaboration included creating more rehabilitation centers in the community which focus on learning services for each disabled category.
“For example, together with the private sector, we create a rehabilitation center in the community that focuses on the deaf while waiting for other government assistance such as grants and so forth.
“This joint venture can also produce skilled teachers in teaching and learning (R&D) that are specific to the deaf and this facilitates the government in obtaining the relevant workforce when it comes to building new schools,” she explained.
In addition, Jainab also commended the cooperation between The Sabah Society for the Deaf (SSD) and the Sabah Community Service Council (MPMS) and other agencies for organizing the celebration, which was held in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the SSD Education Centre and MPMS Welfare Month 2017.
She said that the celebration gave parents of children with special needs, the awareness not to hide or be embarassed to register their children with the responsible parties for assistance.
Also present were the president of SSD, Francis Yong.