KUCHING: Sarawak is demanding more budget allocation from the federal government to address the various needs crucial to ensuring access and equity in education for children of all needs.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin said the government was fully committed in helping every individual achieve full potential through education, including children with special needs or learning disabilities.
“It is high time we act instead of just saying we are committed, especially for schools catering for students with special needs,” he said.
Manyin dropped the hints at the closing ceremony of the 2nd International Conference on Special Education (ICSE 2017) held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday, which was officiated at by Minister of Education Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
“Inclusive education is the key to provide equal learning opportunities for children of all needs. However, it is a great challenge for a place like Sarawak,” he said, emphasising the lack of resources to address the needs in Sarawak with vast geographical area.
With significant room for improvement in the infrastructure sector, Manyin said more resources were needed to cater for special children, especially in rural areas.
“I think we need to group them perhaps in certain towns and provide them with the necessary amenities. As such, Sarawak needs more budget to enhance the education sector,” he reiterated the pressing needs to Mahdzir.
Increasing access to education especially on improving educational services particularly children with disabilities, Manyin added, was an important aspect that must be embraced by all; parents, caregivers, educators, community leaders and members.
Manyin thus said Sarawak was honoured to host the conference as it was not easy to gather educators, experts and professionals in the field of special education from around the world in one place.
The three-day conference, attended by more than 650 participants from Asean countries and around the world, saw 101 papers presented, eight workshops, three concurrent sessions, five keynote sessions and four plenary sessions.
“By organising and conducting ICSE, capacity-building in terms of knowledge, skills and sharing of best practices in special education for the participants will be expanded and exposed with transformative ideas,” he said.
He added that educating children with special needs was not easy as it required special skills and knowledge as well as great passion, extraordinary personality and commitment.
The current education agenda, he said, was not only focusing on developing the child’s competency in school but also focusing on the development of a whole person who can independently sustain one’s life beyond classrooms and school.
“We salute all of you here who are committed in helping children and let no one be left behind as far as education is concerned.
“Education is the equaliser, regardless of backgrounds and differences. Let us make it happen,” he added.
Permanent secretary to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research Datu Sudarsono Osman, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, state Education director Rakayah Madon, Education Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof and SEAMEO Secretariat director-general Prasert Tepanart were also present at the function.