Chapter 1 – Report of the Policy, Law and Complaints Group as stated in the Malaysia Education Blueprint (first wave in 2013-2015, second wave in 2016-2020 and third wave in 2021-2025), with the overall objective of achieving 75 per cent inclusive education for students with special education needs by 2025. (iv) Accessibility: Screening and Assessment of Eligibility for Special Education Programmes/ Special Education Integration Programmes It was explained to the participants that any child diagnosed as a special needs child will be placed under a three-month probationary period for the purpose of determining suitable schooling options. Once the child has been confirmed as a special needs child, the child will be placed either in a mainstream school or a special education school, or be given medical intervention, which is under the purview of the MOH. (v) Low Number of CWLD in Primary Special Education Programmes It was pointed out that the number of CWLD in primary school is approximately one per cent. Sometimes, although screenings conducted by the MOH produce results that confirm a child as a special needs child, the results never reach the child’s school. Therefore, it is important that the parents themselves play a role and cooperate for the benefit of their children’s education. (vi) Shortage of Intervention Centres and the Need for Child Psychologists Intervention processes for special needs children should start at an early age, ideally when they begin going to day care or pre-school. In order to address the shortage of intervention centres, the Government is offering a monetary grant to all centres that receive special needs children, and the grant is open for application. However, the participants expressed concern that teachers lack the skills to assess special needs children and it was further suggested that schools employ psychologists who have the relevant expertise and experience. (vii) Community Rehabilitation Centre (CBR) In the current system, CBR staff are employed on a contract basis with an allowance of RM800. In view of the importance of their role in doing intervention work with special needs children, their status should be reconsidered. Based on the RTD conducted, it was found that the issue of early intervention for CWLD needs to be given due attention to ensure that CWLD could be identified at an early age so that the necessary intervention as well as other forms of support could be provided to them. The Commission will continue its advocacy work on this matter, and plans to hold focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders including the MOE and the MOH. 33 BOOK-ANR2016-01-latest.indb 33 08/04/2016 3:32 PM

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