PART 1 THE COMMISSION’S REPORT ON THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES – FOCUSING ON PRIMARY EDUCATION (e) Allocation of Financial Resources 139. The seriousness of the Government toward inclusive education can be measured by its allocation of financial resources to advance inclusive education. It is important that adequate financial resources are allocated to make school environments, in particular the school infrastructures and facilities, accessible to all students. Noting that it may not be feasible to make immediate change in all schools, the Commission recommends that the Government make an assessment on schools’ buildings and to allocate funds for schools which need immediate attention. From the assessment the Government would have a register of schools that need upgrading. It is recommended that at least 10% of schools in the list should be upgraded every year. 140. In addition, sufficient resources should also be provided to procure appropriate and necessary learning and teaching materials. As mentioned in Chapter 3, special education learning and teaching materials cost more compared to mainstream education. 141. The Commission firmly urges the Ministry of Education to clearly reflect these allocations and expenses in its annual budget reporting for public knowledge, if this is not currently being practised. (f) Roles of Parents in CWLD’s Education 142. Parents play an important role in raising their children and they play an even more important role in raising and caring for their special needs children, including CWLD. As such, the Government should involve them in formulating laws and policies affecting issues relating to children with disabilities. 143. The Commission strongly recommends that parents should be included in the process to determine the suitability of their special needs children to attend schools. Parents of the child under review should be included in the panel established under Regulation 4 of the Education (Special Education) Regulations 2013. In addition, parents’ role should also be recognised in developing a child’s Individualised Education Plan (IEP). (g) Strategic Partnership 144. Mindful that there will be instances where financial resources may be scarce, the Commission would encourage the Government to establish a strategic/ smart partnership with private corporations which, as part of their social responsibility initiatives, could contribute financially to the improvement of schools’ infrastructures and facilities, as well as provide assistance to secure educational materials for lessons in the classroom. Such strategic partnership is not something new and has been capitalised on by many NGOs learning centres. 45