KUCHING: Sarawak’s One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) is delivering results for children with special needs, with a growing number of its graduates transitioning into mainstream education, despite stigma remaining a persistent challenge.
Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the number of OSEIC graduates entering formal education has risen significantly in recent years.
“In 2022, only two OSEIC children made it into mainstream classes.
“In 2023, that number rose to 12, and this year, we are proud to see 22 children from Kuching and another three from Dalat compared to the 24 from Kuching and six from Dalat in 2024, entering mainstream schooling,” said Fatimah.
She added that after passing placement examinations, several graduates have even qualified for special model schools, such as Sekolah Abdul Kadir Hassan, proving that early intervention can help children reach their full potential.
One notable case involved a graduate from OSEIC Dalat, who confidently read aloud during a graduation ceremony, something once unimaginable to her family and educators.
“These are not isolated cases.
“We have children who once struggled with basic speech or motor functions, now able to speak, walk, read, and participate actively in the classroom.
“Early diagnosis and consistent therapy have proven life-changing,” she said.
But while the statistics are promising, Fatimah stressed that social attitudes remain a critical barrier.
“In the early days, many parents lived in denial or felt ashamed to come forward.
“Some believed their children would eventually catch up on their own while some others were afraid of being judged,” she said.
She acknowledged that these perceptions have begun to shift, as more parents witness the progress made by OSEIC graduates.
However, she urged the public to help eradicate the stigma surrounding children with special needs.
“Seeking help is not a weakness but an act of courage and love.
“Special needs children are not broken; they are different, and those differences can be their strengths.
“Some of them are gifted in reading, numbers, or the arts and need the opportunity to grow.”
Fatimah emphasised that access to education is a fundamental right, and that every child, regardless of ability, deserves a place in school.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to early intervention as a foundation for inclusive education.
“The earlier the diagnosis, the earlier the support, and the greater the impact.
“OSEIC is not just providing therapy, it is providing hope,” she said.
