KUCHING: A total of 107 students, including 10 new ones, began their first day of school at Perkata Special School yesterday.
Perkata Special School in Jalan Ridgeway here is a special education school that has been around since 1984 and has students aged between four and 17.
New Sarawak Tribune managed to interview several individuals, including parents and a teacher.
Goh Hock Tion, 66, said the school really helped his grandson aged eight.
His grandson has been attending classes since three years ago, and Goh explained that his grandson was diagnosed with global developmental delay after an unfortunate episode of high fever, that also impaired his grandson’s hearing and speech.
“Ever since he attended this school, there has been a slight improvement in terms of his response and attention.
“Even though it’s hard to know how he feels as he isn’t able to express himself, I believe that he really enjoys his lessons at this school and the school really helped him,” he said.
Chai Lip Hin, 45, an ICT engineer, said his son had been attending classes since he was seven.
“He is 11 years old this year. I really hope to see him improve throughout the year.
“The school has improved his motor skills and his responsiveness. He was diagnosed with global developmental delay when he was a toddler,” he said.
Chai also added that even though progress was slow, what was most important was that his son would keep improving as he grows and learns. “What matters most is that there is progression, that’s all.”
Meanwhile, David Chai, father to a 15-year-old boy diagnosed with various disabilities, said his son was a new student.
“I hope that Perkata, with its facilities, could help my son improve.”
Housewife Aileen Chong, 37, said Perkata had helped her six-year-old autistic son in terms of communication and attention.
“I registered him at the school when he was four, and his progression really showed how skilful the teachers Perkata are.
“He is now responding well, especially his hearing and he can communicate when he wants something,” she said.
Perkata teacher Midies Mida, 38, said: “So far, the students that are in my class definitely have improved. Even though it’s slow, but I believe it’s still progress, even though it might be small.”
Midies also explained that the school did not look at the age of the students, but rather their skills and abilities so that they would tailor the suitable lessons and classes for each individual.
