SPECIAL needs students in Meradong will receive screenings to enrol for the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) by Jan 10 next year, said Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
The Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development said the Sarikei Hospital has scheduled appointments for the remaining 21 of the 100 special needs students in Meradong who require assessments.
“It is very crucial and important for us to identify at a very early stage why this has happened. This is not only one or two factors. It involves medical problems, psychological problems, or emotional problems to these young students.
“The screening process is extensive, and we’ve coordinated with Sarikei Hospital, with screenings set for January 15, 2025,” he said in response to a query from Datuk Ding Kuong Hing (SUPP-Meradong) on the status of PPKI admissions today.
On identifying students with developmental delays, Dr Annuar said pre-school teachers in Meradong have been trained with the Pre-School Student Development Intervention Kit to help detect signs of developmental delays.
After initial identification, he said, students are referred to four specialists: an audiologist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, and an educational psychologist for a comprehensive diagnosis.
“After these four groups have confirmed that there are some form of delay in developmental milestones, they will be referred to the hospital to get the confirmed diagnosis by either three of the specialists: family medical specialists, paediatricians or psychiatrist,” he said.
Following medical confirmation, students are referred to the Welfare Department part of the admission process. They will then proceed to the District Education Office (Pegawai Pendidikan Daerah) to determine their placement level within PPKI, added Dr Annuar.
“We have several early intervention measures, starting with the Preschool Student Development and Intervention Program (ProsPIM), as well as the intervention kit provided to pre-school teachers,” he said.
He also said the teachers will conduct annual screenings for students to flag those significantly lagging behind their peers.
“The Ministry of Education also runs several intervention programmes in schools to support these students.
“If there is no early intervention, they are among the most number of students who will be dropped out from the school and that will create social problems to our state,” he added.
