Chan Chun Sing: S’pore community should reach out and support children with special needs

Singapore — Following the recent deaths of the 11-year-old twins reported to have special needs, Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing said that Singapore should be a community that supports parents and their children with special needs.

Member of Parliament Denise Phua (PAP-Jalan Besar) had asked the minister in Parliament on Monday (Feb 14) what lessons could be learnt on the protection of special needs children and support for caregivers following the brothers’ deaths on Jan 21.

MP He Ting Ru (WP-Sengkang) also asked about the number of students in mainstream schools diagnosed with special needs or requiring extra learning support.

In his response, Mr Chan highlighted he would not touch on the case specifics as it is before the court and urged members of the public not to speculate on the incident or to prematurely draw conclusions on what should be done.

However, he said he would explain how the government can take a whole-of-community approach to provide essential support to children with special needs and their caregivers.

“It is our goal for children with special needs to reach their potential, to be confident in themselves and to be equipped with life skills and values so that they can grow up to lead, as much as possible, as normal, as independent a life as possible,” said Mr Chan.

He noted, “This starts from the early years, where early detection and timely intervention are critical.”

Parents are encouraged to refer to the child health booklets, among other materials, as reference points and take their children for regular childhood development screenings at general practitioner clinics or polyclinics, the minister advised.

If any delay in the child’s development is detected, their child would be referred to paediatricians for further diagnosis of developmental concerns.

Mr Chan said the number of students with special education needs rose by about five per cent in the last three years due to early identification and growing awareness.

There are about 7,000, or 20 per cent of all students reported with special education needs, that attend the existing 22 special education schools. These students have moderate to severe special needs.

Meanwhile, there are 27,000 students with special education needs attending mainstream schools.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has partnered with hospitals, special education schools and early intervention centres to help parents decide how to best support their special needs children through assessments and recommendations.

“Based on these assessments and recommendations, parents decide whether to enrol their child in a mainstream primary school or SPED school,” said Mr Chan.

He highlighted that parents are “key partners” in providing “valuable insights” into their children’s unique needs.

“Schools then provide details of the support available in school and how the school and parents can work together to support their child. When schools and families communicate, they build relationships and share strategies that can be used in school and at home,” he noted.

A whole-of-community approach

Mr Chan said he was “heartened” hearing from parents draw support from the community and give it back to others, thus helping them cope with the challenges and stress of caring for their special needs children.

“Let us do our part to serve as a circle of support for these children and their families. We cannot say: ‘Let the other neighbour help. Let the other relatives help. Let the other company hire him,'” said Mr Chan.

He noted that people don’t need to wait for one another and “make the first step” instead of letting the parents, caregivers, and their special needs children know they are valued. “Let us remind them that they are not alone,” he added. /TISG

Watch his speech below:

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