BRUNEI-MUARA

ALL primary and secondary schools will receive a guidebook to help educators understand, form appropriate programmes and support services for students with special needs.

Dr Hj Junaidi Hj Abd Rahman, Permanent Secretary (Core Education), launched the “School Based Team guidebook”. The book, prepared by the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Unit (SEU), is in English and in Malay.

The SEU’s Acting Head, Pg Sarimah Pg Hj Ahmad, said the School Based Team plays a very important role in promoting and upholding the practice of inclusive education, thus ensuring education for all.

The School Based Team is a committee whose role is to plan, prepare, implement and review programmes and services for students with special needs to ensure that the inclusive education policy is implemented successfully.

The School Based Team committee is comprised of the principal, deputy principal, senior academic teacher, learning support teacher, home room teacher, subject teacher, school staff and parents or guardians.

According to the SEU, establishing this School Based Team is to make sure students’ needs are addressed, accommodated and continuously monitored, among many others. The guidelines are for teachers to help students with special needs by encouraging them to participate and achieve their maximum potential in the inclusive school environment.

It will serve as a reference to all members of the School Based Team in carrying out their respective roles.

“Hopefully, with the publication of this handbook, the implementation of the learning assistance programme and other special education programmes in schools can be carried out effectively and have continuity so that students’ needs are being addressed and met,” she said.

Pg Sarimah encouraged collaborative participation and cooperation of all members of the School Based Team to ensure students are provided appropriate support and assistance, which will enable them to learn according to their abilities and capabilities.

Dr Hj Junaidi said every member of the School Based Team plays a central role and that a strong partnership between all members help to ensure that students with special needs receive the learning support they need to realise their potential, and be able to participate meaningfully in schools.

He also reiterated how such partnership resonates with the ministry’s aspirations in promoting and upholding the practice of inclusive education, thus ensuring education for all.

The Brunei Times