Special education

Special education caters to the educational needs of disabled children. These children fall into three categories: visual impairment; hearing impairment; and children with learning difficulties.

In 2001, there were thirty-one special education schools to cater to the educational needs of disadvantaged children. Under the inclusive education policy, children deemed able to follow the regular curriculum are integrated into several classes together with mainstream pupils. In addition, these children–and especially those with learning difficulties–are enrolled in special classes in regular schools. In 2001, 2,383 children with disabilities were enrolled in regular schools with 671 specially trained teachers providing for their educational needs. Apart from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of National Unity and Social Development and various voluntary organizations also implement special education and training programmes for children with disabilities.