Efforts to improve the competence of teachers in special education – especially for hearing and sign language – were made at the launch of the National Seminar on Special Education for Hearing and Sign Language Workshop at the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah yesterday.
Department of Special Education Acting Director Dr Eddy Fazlin bin Haji Amdan, in his opening remarks, said, “The Ministry of Education (MoE) has implemented the Inclusive Education Policy since 1997, enabling students with special needs to learn together with their peers following mainstream learning or special education in government schools and private educational institutions.”
He added, “Alhamdulillah, 2,282 students with special needs have had the opportunity to study in the government’s primary, secondary and higher education institutions.
“Of that number, 209 students are students with special hearing needs with various levels of hearing impairment. Various initiatives and efforts have been implemented by the MoE through the Department of Special Education. These include a series of basic sign language workshops for teachers, students and parents. Also included are the provision of hearing aid and the construction of digital learning resources to help students with special hearing needs gain access to knowledge, be able to follow school activities and achieve excellence in learning as outlined in the special education framework guided by the APA principles – Access, Participate and Achieve apart from the 5A principles which are Accessibility, Adapted Curriculum, Adapted Instruction, Adapted Assessment and Acceptance.
“This effort reflects MoE’s high commitment in implementing the Inclusive Education Policy in line with the Compulsory Education Act to ensure that all children aged five have access to education. Therefore, the Department of Special Education will always be diligent and active in planning and providing suitable facilities and programmes to strengthen this inclusive effort.”
The acting director said, “One of the challenges faced by teachers is the lack of knowledge about hearing problems, effective teaching approaches, and the ability to communicate, especially in sign language, to help students understand the lesson well.
“Therefore, it is hoped that the seminar and workshop will be able to build and improve the competence of the participants who are teachers in special education for hearing and sign language, in line with the goal of achieving inclusive education for all students, especially those who experience difficulties in learning due to hearing problems.”
He added, “This matter is also in line with the MoE’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Goal 3, to build and increase highly skilled human resources in creating future ready students.”
Throughout the three-day seminar and workshop, participants will explore effective teaching strategies, participate in activities, and learn sign language as an important communication method in creating a conducive inclusive classroom environment especially for students with special hearing needs.
Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the MoE Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin was the guest of honour. – Fadhil Yunus
