Press Releases
Honouring Special Education Teachers and Schools
20 years of collaboration between MOE and NCSS in Special Education
Three outstanding teachers and two innovative SPED schools were recognised for their outstanding contributions in the area of education for children with special needs. Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Education presented the MOE-NCSS Special Education (SPED) Awards at a ceremony today.
The Outstanding SPED Teacher Award
Three teachers received the Outstanding SPED Teacher Award for their passion, commitment and perseverance in providing a well-rounded education for children with special needs. They are:
Ms Linda Tan Mui Keng, Tanglin School
Ms Erni Noorhaidah Bte Ahmad, Woodlands Gardens School
Mdm Jenny Lim Geok Hong, Lee Kong Chian Gardens School
“The SPED field is a demanding one. It requires individuals who have the passion, determination and a nurturing heart to patiently develop our children with special needs to their fullest potential. This year’s winners of the Outstanding SPED Teacher Award have truly exemplified these qualities and I hope their zeal and good work will be an inspiration to their peers in the SPED teaching profession,” said Ms Ang Bee Lian, Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).
A total of 121 nominations for 71 teachers were received from 12 SPED schools, a measure of how the teachers are respected by parents, students and their peers. A selection panel, which included representatives from MOE and NCSS, reviewed and assessed the nominations to select the award recipients.
The Innovation Award
For their outstanding innovations to promote students’ learning, the Tanglin School and the Chaoyang School from the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) beat three other nominees to win the Innovation Award this year. This is the second consecutive year that Chaoyang School has clinched the award.
Chaoyang School’s efforts in developing a holistic performing arts programme provided a platform in school where students can build their confidence in self-expression though fun and play. Through the programme, students developed better social skills and became more expressive. Tanglin School also came up tops with its Tanglin Business Entrepreneurship Project where students embarked on the complex task of setting up a business. They learnt to prepare proposals, conduct research and market their products and services.
20 years of collaboration in Special Education
This year marks the 20th year of partnership between MOE, NCSS and the Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs) in the area of Special Education. The longstanding collaboration has improved access for children with special needs to Special Education and enhanced the support to special schools in preparing students for life beyond education.
RADM (RET) Kwek Siew Jin, President of NCSS, said, “NCSS is grateful to MOE for their support and commitment to Special Education. NCSS continues to be committed to this enduring and fruitful partnership to maximise the potential of children with disabilities.”