To promote inclusivity in Sarawak’s education, the Sarawak Government, through the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) is setting up a One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) for children with special needs.
Located in Metro City, Matang, the centre – a first in Sarawak – is the result of a strategic partnership between the ministry and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS). PETRONAS has allocated RM4 million for the initiative as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
The centre, which will work with the Health Department. This centre will provide early diagnosis, intervention, rehabilitation and early education services that focus on children aged six and below with autism, Down syndrome and learning disabilities.
Among the facilities that made available at the centre include a diagnostic centre, early intervention centre, a therapy centre, playground and pre-school.
Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, YB Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, throughout press conferences related to OSEIC, has emphasised the centre’s potential positive long-term impact for children with special needs in Sarawak.
Early intervention and rehabilitation, she noted, is vital in providing an effective educational programme for children with special needs. This can lead to significant development in cognitive ability, communication skills and reduced symptoms.
Thus, by increasing the chances in recovery at an early stage. These children who might be showing positive signs of behavioural improvement and self-management can then recommended for formal education in ordinary schools.
The minister also believed that children with special needs need to be integrated with normal children. With the help of teachers and school administrators, they can study and socialise in an inclusive education system.
This in turn allows normal children to learn and empathise with their special needs counterparts, giving one another an early exposure into diverse society that they will come to grow and navigate throughout their lives.
Additionally, the one-stop centre will benefit parents who do not have the financial means to support their children of special needs. More so if they may not move to places like Kuala Lumpur to seek for early intervention services for their children.
In the future, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah hoped for more collaborations with organisations such as PETRONAS. Sarawak Government aspires to provide more education institutions for children with special needs, such as a vocational school and learning centres.
The ministry is also working on setting up a State-owned primary school for children with special needs, as mooted by the Chief Minister in early 2019.
Various aspects considered for benchmarking purposes in planning its set-up. The ministry has conducted study visits to learning centres and schools overseas, such as philosophical and conceptual framework, physical facilities and personnel required.
Such efforts as a whole reflect the Sarawak Government’s commitment and concern to ensure that children with special needs given equal attention in the State education.
