Abang Johari inserts a special clock into the ICSE 2017 platform to open the conference. From front left are Asfia, Fatimah, Prasert and Yasmin. Manyin is behind Abang Johari. — Photos by Chimon Upon
Abang Johari shows a portrait of himself to Manyin. Also seen from second left are Mussen, Dr Annuar, Yasmin and Fatimah.
KUCHING: Sarawak remains committed to supporting all agendas and activities on the development of persons with disabilities (PWD).
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state is actively involved in creating awareness of their needs and rights.
“They create awareness of the needs and rights of PWD in order to be able to live a normal life and be successful in their areas of interest,” he said when opening the second International Conference on Special Education (ICSE) 2017 yesterday.
Abang Johari said ICSE 2017 offered an opportunity for education experts and specialists in the field of Special Education to get together and exchange information.
“I am sure your discussion and deliberation during the conference will add to the much needed knowledge and to contribute to the enhancement of skills, especially for teachers and those involved in Special Education all around Southeast Asia, especially in Sarawak.
“Meaningful and directed discussion on Special Education should breed innovative ideas and also create opportunities for networking and programmes of inter-collaboration between organisations as well as countries,” he said.
Abang Johari said the success of the conference is vital “as it will contribute to the growing global awareness to provide opportunities of access and engagement for PWD”.
He hoped the proposed education agenda would be met and well implemented in the Southeast Asian region in the near future.
“For a nation as a whole, I must record my appreciation to the teachers and educators of Special Needs Children for their hard work in providing education to this special group of people among us.
“It is not an easy task, but someone has to do it, and now I am standing in front of those people who are dedicating their life and time to educate the group of people who needs special care in our society. Thank you for your passion and dedication to be of service to the special people of our societies,” he added.
Some 650 delegates from 32 countries are taking part in the three-day conference themed ‘Access and Engagement’ jointly organised by the Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organisation Special Education (SeaMeo SEN) and Ministry of Education Malaysia.
Among those present were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong; Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah; Assistant Minister of Industries and Investment Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee; SeaMeo SEN secretariat deputy director Prasert Tepanart and SeaMeo SEN director Datin Dr Yasmin Hussain.