PUTRAJAYA: THE new “Zero Reject Policy”, introduced by the Education Ministry (MOE) this year, has brought joy to special needs pupils and their parents because it allows the children to enrol in national schools without difficulty.
The policy has allayed fears among parents as it provides equal opportunity and access to education for differently-abled children.
All parents need to do is to register their children at the ministry’s website two years before they begin primary schooling to secure a place at the school of their choice.
Early intervention can then be given to the pupils before the school year begins.
This will facilitate a smooth transition into primary school for the differently-abled children and enables them to participate in the teaching and learning process.
Under this policy, pupils with special needs will receive an education that corresponds with their abilities, either at national schools via the Inclusive Education Programme (PPI), the Special Education Integrated Programme (PPKI) or Special Education School (SPK) at primary and secondary levels.
To date, there are 34 SPKs nationwide, comprising 28 primary and six secondary schools.
Of the six secondary schools, four are vocational institutions and the other two are focused on academics.
In PPKI, there are 2,200 schools carrying out the programme.
A visit to SK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1) here on the first day of school found many parents delighted with MOE’s policy.
Headmaster Mohd Amin Hamzah said 10 Year One pupils were recently enrolled in the school’s PPKI class, which brought the total to 60.
“We welcome the move by MOE as no pupils will be left behind.”
He said as part of preparations to implement the policy, more teachers would be trained to handle differently-abled pupils.
“This will be done with cooperation of the state Education Departments,” he said.
Rizan Maidin, 35, said the new policy had many benefits as it eased the registration process for special needs children.
“Previously, the pupils need to go for an interview to enrol in PPKI, but this will no longer be applicable.”
For the pupils, he said having access to education would give them a better future.
“I strongly encourage parents with special needs children to register them for school as it is in the best interest of the child.”
Another father, Muhamad Faiz Basirun, 35, was supportive of the ministry’s effort to provide education to those with special needs.
“They can only achieve their full potential by having access to a formal education. I hope one day, the hidden talents of these pupils can be unleashed.”
Faiz hoped that the school facilities would be improved and the teachers be given more training to increase their expertise.
Faiz, who has an autistic daughter, expressed his gratitude to SK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1) for taking the initiative to conduct therapy sessions.
Meanwhile, Robiyah Khalid believed that parents would no longer be reluctant to send their special needs children to school with the implementation of this new policy.
“There is huge concern when it comes to the well-being of special needs pupils, hence parents will feel empowered to give them a formal education.”
Robiyah,54, said differently-abled pupils would be at a disadvantage if they missed school because their parents did not know how to give them a proper education.
She said special needs pupils would gain confidence and courage to interact when they enrol in schools.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik visited the school on Wednesday and he went on a walkabout to meet pupils.
Last October, Maszlee said the Zero-Reject Policy would be implemented in stages. Besides giving special needs pupils a good start in life, it also promotes the ministry’s aspiration for the younger generation to embrace love, happiness and mutual respect.