Rep assures of govt’s commitment to assist special needs children
MIRI: Miri MP Dr Michael Teo assures that both the Federal and State governments are committed to enabling all children including those with special needs( OKU) have access to good education.
He said this is manifested in their commitments to provide funding to schools as well as supporting non- governmental organisations, NGOs in holding activities that complement efforts towards enhancing the standard of education in the state and country.
“As such parents with special needs’ children should not be ashamed to send their children to Special Education Integration Programme ( PKI) or schools with PKI classes.
“On my part I will allocate some funds to PKI Miri to help finance activities to enhance the education standard there,” said Dr Teo when officiating at the Miri district-level dancing and singing competitions – ‘ Semarak Seni 2.0’ for OKU students and their teachers here yesterday.
On the event, Dr Teo commended PKI Miri for taking the lead in organising it and was confident it could achieve its targets of scouting talents among OKU students.
Also present at the function were PKI Miri education officer Ashaar Bujang, PKI Miri headmaster and organising chairman Stanly Aba @ Yaba, and the chairman of the school’s parent- teacher association ( PTA) Flora Uding.
Earlier in his speech Stanly said there is greater awareness among parents to send their OKU children to the special school adding that currently they have 47 students.
“Currently PKI Miri is congested as we have to share spaces available at SK Anchi.
“As we are combining facilities with SK Anchi (the former school of SMK Agama), we have to renovate the former toilet block into a classroom for the visually impaired students,” said Stanly who wanted the government to seriously look into the problem.
A total of ninety students and teachers from nine schools – SMK St Joseph, SMK Luak, SMK Dato Permaisuri, SK Anchi, SK South, SK Lutong, SK Jalan Bintang, SK Miri and host SK Pendidikan Khas Miri took part in the talent contest.
Among the objectives of the one- day event were to showcase the talented students and teachers in performing, acting, singing and dancing.