Gan Siow Huang on support for special needs children in MOE Kindergartens

Around 600, or eight per cent, of children enrolled in K1 and K2 in MOE Kindergartens are reported to have developmental needs that require support. Not all were formally diagnosed. Some were identified by educators. Minister of State for Education Gan Siow Huang, who said this in reply to an MP's questions in Parliament on Wednesday (Oct 5), highlighted the support given to these children. Professionals such as learning support educators and therapists help the children once or twice a week in areas such as language and literacy. The Ministry of Education (MOE) provides assistive technology such as frequency modulation systems for children with hearing loss. Its psychologists work with MOE Kindergartens to identify the needs of the children and ways to support them. She said while the majority of children with developmental needs will progress to mainstream primary schools, MOE educational psychologists will make recommendations to special education (SPED) for the small proportion of children better supported in a SPED school.  *Audio issues inherent from source