Abg Jo: Special needs people must not be marginalised

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A delegate from Singapore (right) briefs Abang Johari about the book that she presented to the minister as souvenir. Looking on is Dr Yasmin (left).

A delegate from Singapore (right) briefs Abang Johari about the book that she presented to the minister as souvenir. Looking on is Dr Yasmin (left).

KUCHING: People with special needs must be given opportunities to develop themselves and should not be marginalised.

Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said this group of people have the right to equitable education and also social and economic development opportunities.

“Being disabled should not deprive them from all these opportunities,” he said at the 3rd Governing Board Meeting of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation for Special Education (Seameo-SEN) dinner at Hilton Hotel here on Tuesday.

Present were Education Ministry’s deputy director-general Dato Sri Khairil Awang. Seameo-SEN director Datin Dr Yasmin Hussain, Seameo Secretariat’s deputy director (Administration and Communication) Dr Tinsiri Sribodhi, Seameo Under-Secretary (Policy and International Relations Division) Mohd Khairul Adib Abdul Rahman and National Association of Parents and Teacher Sarawak chairman Wan Zain Wan Mohdzar.

Abang Johari, who is also Housing Minister, added it was also important to include the needs of this group of people in the state’s planning, including in the house sector.

On education, he said interpersonal touch was fundamental to reaching out to children with special needs.

“Patience and extra time are required in the teaching-learning process so they can have the skills and knowledge to cope and adapt to changing needs.”

Meanwhile, Khairil said the Governing Board Meeting was to determine the centre’s direction and mission.

“As a regional centre for special education, Seameo-SEN aspires to provide quality training and research for special education teachers.”

Khairil pointed out that upgrading the professionalism of special education teachers would enhance the quality of education of children with special needs.

“The education agenda beyond 2015 is very much focused on educating the marginalised.”

The delegates to the meeting are from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste.

Seameo is a regional intergovernmental organisation. It was established in 1965 among the governments of Southeast Asian countries to promote regional cooperation in education, science and culture.

Seameo-SEN is a regional centre that specialises in education to support the needs of children with different disabilities and also gifted and talented children in Southeast Asia.