23 September 1998

SPEECH BY DR ALINE WONG, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF MINDS TOWNER GARDENS SCHOOL AT 1B, LENGKONG LIMA, ON WEDNESDAY, 23 SEP 98, AT 2.30 PM

I am delighted to be invited to officiate at the opening of the purpose-built Towner Gardens School. Indeed, today is a joyous occasion as it marks the culmination of many years of planning and hard work. I would like to extend my congratulations to the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) for being the first Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) to take up the challenge of building a purpose-built school to better serve pupils who are intellectually disabled. Built at a cost of $7.5m, this purpose-built school is the first of its kind for children with special education needs here. The opening of this school is thus a milestone not only for MINDS but also for special education in Singapore.

2 Special education schools play an important role in our overall education system which aims to bring out the best in every child. For the intellectually disabled, as well as for other children with special needs, special education schools provide a learning environment in which these children can develop at their own pace, and more importantly, to realise their own potential. Special facilities and resources such as customised buildings and physical layouts, modified curriculum, special programmes, specially trained teachers and greater teacher-pupil ratio will give these children the best chance of success.

3 We are aware that many of the children find it difficult to cope with the rigours of mainstream education as provided by MOE. The Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) are playing a significant and honorable role in providing special education for children with special needs. With a strong sense of mission, total dedication and commitment, the VWOs and their volunteers have given sterling service to the community in this area just as they have given to other areas. To help the VWOs, my Ministry provides financial, infrastructural and professional support to them in their running of the special schools. For example, MOE has been seconding education officers to the special schools. It has also been providing VWOs with government buildings appropriately retrofitted at government’s expense to operate special schools. The government also supports the building of customised special education schools, such as this one, by paying 90% of the construction cost. The development of purpose-built schools will help the VWOs overcome the problems of short-term leases of their premises and provide better facilities for the pupils. Besides MINDS, the Rainbow Centre has just completed its purpose-builtschool to replace the Margaret Drive Special School. Three other VWOs are also making plans to develop their own purpose-built schools.

4 As the name implies, purpose-built schools have specially designed features to suit the needs of the students. I am pleased to note that Towner Gardens School has won a Design Award for Handicap-Friendly Buildings given by the 1^st Institute of Architect - Handicaps Welfare Association, and a Merit Award in Architecture from the Singapore Institute of Architect - ICI Colour Award. The school has a variety of facilities which will complement the traditional instructional programmes. For example, now that the school has a Computer room, the Computer-Assisted Learning programme can be further developed. The school can also infuse creativity and thinking skills in its teaching programmes. The specially designed Skills Room will enable pre-vocational training to be conducted more effectively in order to prepare senior pupils for future employment. With this new building, the school can now increase its pupil intake by more than 25% to 400.

5 I am also happy to note that in Towner Gardens School, the parents have been actively involved in the education of their children. The parents have given excellent support to the teachers in ensuring the children receive a quality education. For this building project, I was told that the parents have worked alongside the MINDS Executive Committee, the School Management Committee and the staff to raise $1.5 million for the building project. I would like to congratulate all those who have contributed in one way or another to this worthwhile project.

6 The name Towner Gardens School in Chinese is ÀÖ Ô° Ñ§ Ð£ which means Garden of Joy and School of Happiness. It denotes a school in which children are happy to come and learn and a school where the SMC members are happy to serve. I am sure that all of you will continue with your fine tradition and uphold the vision of the pioneers of the school.

7 Finally, I commend all of you for your contribution towards the realisation of this purpose-built school. I wish you every success in your future endeavours and many years of meaningful service.