PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry will increase the number of special education teachers in schools facing a shortage of such teaching staff in line with the Zero Reject Policy (ZRP).
The ministry’s special education division director Datuk Dr Yasmin Hussain said there were 15,218 special education teachers at 8,579 primary and secondary schools that offer the special education programme.
“Granted, the number is not enough to meet the need of about 87,000 students with special needs,” said Yasmin during her visit to SMK Putrajaya Presint 18 (1), here, which is implementing the ZRP benchmark for students with special needs.
“On Oct 31 last year, we recorded 83,598 students with special needs and with the implementation of ZRP, we have received the registration of an additional 3,038 of such students.
“In the next three months, the Education Ministry will intensify its efforts to find special education teachers who are currently in mainstream education and place them in the special education programme.
“There are states which need three or five additional special education teachers.
“We will look into all of that.”
Under ZRP, special needs children will receive education corresponding to their abilities through mainstream schools via the Inclusive Education Programme (PPI), Special Education Integrated Programme (PPKI), or special education schools at primary and secondary levels.
The Education Rules (Special Education) 2013 defines special needs students as those who are hearing-impaired, sight-impaired, speech-impaired, physically-impaired, learning difficulties and multiple disabilities.
Yasmin said to support the implementation of ZRP, the most important component was the provision of infrastructure in schools.
It was reported that the division would be providing disabled-friendly facilities at all government schools in stages, beginning with special education schools and PPKI.
Currently, only 170 schools nationwide are equipped with these facilities, which include special stairs, ramps, toilets and parking areas.The ministry will implement PPI at all primary schools in stages beginning next year.
Other improvements to be undertaken include sending teachers for upgrading courses beginning next year.