SPECIAL needs students should be given equal access to education without unnecessary delays, said Meradong assemblyman, Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing.
Thus, he called on relevant ministries to address the critical shortage of trained personnel for student screening exercises in the district.
Ding highlighted that 49 primary school students in Meradong are currently waiting to be screened before they can be placed in special education classes or the Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI).
“In Meradong District alone, there are 49 primary school students waiting to undergo screening exercise before they can be assigned to special classes or PPKI.
“Unfortunately, there are not enough trained officers within our Education Department to conduct this screening exercise effectively so that these students can be assigned to their respective classes as soon as possible.
“I, therefore, urge our Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, and Ministry for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development to look into this matter seriously to ensure all our special needs students can have suitable education like any other children at the earliest possible,” he said.
He said these when debating in support of the motion of appreciation to the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s speech in the august house today.
Ding also pointed to rising autism statistics as a sign that stronger intervention is needed.
Citing data from the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), he noted that registered autism cases in Malaysia had increased from 6,991 in 2013 to 53,323 in 2023.
“Globally, it is estimated that about 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with autism, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Sarawak, being at the forefront in many fields, surely can also lend a big hand to help out our Special Needs Children by setting up more early intervention programmes or schools and special clinics to speed up the screening processes,” said Ding.
On a separate matter, Ding proposed the establishment of a Centre for Pre-University Education in Meradong, citing the district’s strategic location and cost-effectiveness.
He said the newly completed Batang Rajang Bridge now positions Meradong as a potential education hub not only for the central region but also for coastal areas such as Tanjung Manis, Belawai, Pulau Bruit, Matu, and Daro.
“With its low cost of living and pristine natural environment, Meradong is an ideal place for young students to live and study,” he said, urging the Education, Innovation and Talent Development Ministry to consider the proposal.
