James Kon
Sayyidina Ali Secondary School (SMSA) showcased several innovative projects by special needs students at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Education Specialists Seminar recently.
Among the projects were a book rest, a foldable trolley and wooden traffic cone.
The projects were aimed at equipping the students with skills they need to join the workforce.
Teacher Justina binti Baharun said the projects are also solutions to identified problems as well as entries for competitions and entrepreneurship programmes.
She stressed on the importance of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) in education, particularly for students with special needs.
Justina said the projects made the students proud of their accomplishments and strengthen their self-confidence as well as giving them a sense of belonging by contributing to the community by solving problems.
She said new technology can be adapted to overcome most disabilities while inclusive education need more out-of-the-box thinking.
Justina stressed that every special needs students has their own special abilities and educators and parents need to discover and nurture them. With proper support and contribution from all levels of society, the world can be more inclusive, she said.
SMSA Principal Steven Shim Sheau Huei said the initiative is a win-win situation where efforts at the pre-vocational level can be translated for mainstream application. It took the school several years to build a problem-solving culture among the students and with the injection of STEAM education, the students will be more independent and can contribute to Brunei Vision 2035, Shim said.
