SPECAIL EDUCATION NEEDS

SPECAIL EDUCATION NEEDS

INFORMATION

Special needs education means the special educational arrangements which are in place for children with disabilities. All children – including children with disabilities and children with special needs – have a constitutional right to free primary education. Children with special educational needs have the right to free primary education upto age of 18.

MAINSTREAM CLASSES

Many children with disabilities or special needs are in mainstream classes in mainstream schools. They may get help from learning support and resource teachers and care support from special needs assistants.You can read more about these supports for children with special educational needs in our documents on special needs education in primary schools and post-primary schools.

SPECIAL CLASSES IN MAINSTREAM SCHOOLS

Some children attend special classes in mainstream schools. These classes generally have low pupil/teacher ratios.

AUTISM

Children on the autistic spectrum may avail of special needs education in the same way as other children with special needs. There are also specific provisions for them. There are a number of special classes for children with autism, which are attached to special and mainstream schools, as well as several special classes for children. There are early intervention classes (attached to some primary schools) for children of pre-school age who are on the autistic spectrum.

ENRICHMENT CLASS

It refers to activities or classes that enhance learning. These typically extend learning beyond the subjects traditionally taught at schools, and may include art, speech and drama, music, ballet, sports or even a foreign language. When your kid attends an enrichment programme, he will learn how to think creatively and tap into his imagination. While some parents use enrichment and tuition interchangeably, there is a distinct difference: The former is designed to develop lifelong learners who become active, enthusiastic and passionate towards learning, while the latter is subject-oriented and has a more focused objective of improving academic performance.