1Another 33 schools will receive trained Special Needs Officers (SNOs) to support students with mild to moderate dyslexia and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by mid-2009. This will bring the total number of schools that will be staffed with SNOs to 136 schools (105 primary schools and 31 secondary schools). MOE will continue to provide more schools with SNOs within the next few years.

2In addition to providing SNOs to schools, MOE also provides training in special needs education for 10% of teachers in primary schools and 20% of teachers in secondary schools. To date, around 1200 teachers have been trained in special needs and an additional 800 will be undergoing training in May 2008. The training enables teachers to better support students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and speech and learning difficulties in their own schools. An estimated 2900 teachers will be trained between 2005 and 2010.

3These measures are part of MOE's continuing effort to provide resources to support students with special needs in primary and secondary schools.

4The list of 33 primary and secondary schools to be given resources for ASD and dyslexia support by mid-2009 can be found in Annex A.

5Feedback from schools that have benefited from the additional support of SNOs and resource teachers have been favourable. Mdm Lim Lan Chin, Principal, Seng Kang Primary School said, "Special Needs Officers are a good complement to the existing team of officers comprising Educational Psychologists, Guidance Officers, Reading Specialists, Full-time School Counsellors, Teacher Counsellors and Teachers trained in Special Needs. To begin with, SNOs' interest in helping children with special needs is a great start for the school community. Apart from providing smaller group intervention, they are a tremendous source of on-site support for special needs pupils, especially in integrating them into mainstream education."

6Ms Sum Chee Wah, Director, Educational Programmes Division said, "SNOs and teachers trained in Special Needs allow us to provide a school environment that gives the best possible educational support to students with dyslexia, ASD and other learning difficulties at all levels from primary through to post-secondary education. We are heartened by the dedication and perseverance that our SNOs and teachers have shown in helping students with special learning needs. The Ministry will continue to explore how we can enhance support to these students."

7Information on schools staffed with SNOs will be made available on the MOE website, and publications such as the Secondary One "Choosing Your Secondary School" Information Booklet. Students with special needs will go through the normal Primary One registration and Secondary One posting processes.

8The pioneer batch of schools that received SNOs to support students with special needs was announced in May 2005.

9The SNOs provide additional in-class support, small group specialised remedial work and/or skills training for students with mild to moderate learning difficulties. They complement the support that class teachers provide to these students.

10SNOs are required to have a minimum qualification of a diploma or a full GCE ‘A' level certificate. Some SNOs also have relevant experience in working with children with special needs. Applicants are also required to have good interpersonal skills and the passion to work with children with special needs. SNOs undergo a one year full-time Diploma in Special Education course conducted by the National Institute of Education (NIE). They will be deployed to mainstream schools resourced for ASD and dyslexia support after their professional training with NIE.





Additionally: http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2008/03/assumption-pathway-school-to-s.php


Thats how it should be. :]:]