Press Releases
New Framework for Vocational Education in Special Education (SPED) Schools
A new Framework for Vocational Education will be made available to all SPED schools offering vocational education by the end of this year. This will guide them in developing vocational education programmes to prepare their special needs students for successful transition to employment. This was announced by Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for Education and National Development, at the MOE-NCSS SPED Award Presentation Ceremony today.
Vocational Education in SPED schools equips special needs students with useful competencies and skills to be gainfully employed, integrate successfully into society, and lead independent and satisfying lives. The new framework outlines the philosophy, vision, objectives and learning outcomes of vocational education. It also includes a series of guides to help SPED schools to implement a structured programme of vocational education for their students with special needs. The guides will address the following areas:
Vocational Assessment Toolkit to help gather each student’s Skills, Knowledge, Interests and Preferences (SKIP) to plan and review their Individualised Education Plans for positive job outcomes;
Vocational Guidance to guide the students in matching their SKIP to suitable vocations;
Curriculum for competencies and skills for employability to equip the students with industry-specific skills and social emotional competencies and work habits to become employed and stay employed; and
Work Experience to facilitate multiple work experiences for students in authentic work settings while still at school so as to help them to make better decisions about their eventual career choices. At the same time, students could apply and hone important work-related skills and work habits under the supervision and guidance of a job coach, before transiting into industry-based settings.
Earlier Vocational Education
Students with special needs require a longer runway to develop the necessary competencies and work readiness to transit successfully into society and the workforce. From 2011, four SPED schools – Tanglin School, Grace Orchard School, Katong School, and Metta School, will prototype structured vocational preparation for their students from the age of 13. A key focus of this preparatory phase is to help students to identify their interests and preferences, and develop the necessary “soft skills” for job success, such as self-management, problem-solving, teamwork, and cooperation. Students will also have the opportunities to develop their work skills through authentic and supported work experiences.
This is in addition to the accredited vocational education programme that two SPED schools, Metta and Delta Senior Schools, have begun to offer this year to eligible students from the age of 16. This accredited programme builds on MOE’s successful partnership with the Institute of Technical Education and Workforce Development Agency in prototyping vocational training for special needs students since 2007. The programme would lead to national certification in key industry areas such as horticulture and landscaping, food and beverage, hotel and accommodation. Since 2007, around 70 students have successfully attained the relevant certification and secured jobs.