When her son started at Northoaks Primary School earlier this year, Mrs Sarasvathy Mahendran had a wish – that her child does not think he is different from his friends in Primary 1.
Seven-year-old Tejas Mahendran has cone-rod dystrophy, a disorder that results in low vision and possible vision loss.
The school provides him with a portable video magnification system which uses an adjustable camera to enlarge worksheets so that he can read better and see words on the class whiteboard from his classroom desk. He also has a handheld magnifier, which helps him read on the go.
Mrs Mahendran, 41, said: “He doesn’t realise he’s a bit different from others and that’s okay. We’re trying our best to help him be independent and it’s important that he tries everything on his own and doesn’t give up.”
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said that 61 primary schools and 37 others, comprising secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute, are breaking down barriers between students with special needs and those without.
This is up from 54 primary schools and 32 schools at other levels respectively, five years ago. There are about 350 public schools here.
Over the years, mainstream schools have received more support for students with special needs. These initiatives include upgrading of facilities to make them accessible for students with physical disabilities, such as ramps, lifts and wheelchair-friendly toilets.
The MOE also funds the use of assistive technology devices for around $200,000 every year.
About 80% of students with special needs – 26,000 of them – attend mainstream schools.
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Source: The Straits Times, 24 Dec 2019