MOE Speech - SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR AWWA CENTRE FOR CARE, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES (ACCESS)

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SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR AWWA CENTRE FOR CARE, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES (ACCESS) SAT 26 APRIL 2003 AT 10.20 AM, AT JALAN NAPIRI

Ms Claire Lim, President of Asian Women's Welfare Organisation

Members of AWWA Management Committees

Ladies and Gentlemen

1          I am pleased to be here on this auspicious occasion to officiate at the groundbreaking of AWWA Centre for Care, Education and Social Service (ACCESS). When completed in 2005, the centre will house the AWWA Special School, AWWA Headquarters, TEACH ME Services, and a Resource and Training Centre on Disabilities. I understand that in addition to these, AWWA will initiate two new programmes when the complex is ready. These are the Services for Senior Citizens and a Student Care Centre for Special Children.

2          AWWA's initiative to co-locate its various services in the new complex is indeed a significant step. Having these services under one roof will certainly facilitate better communication and integration of services. Most importantly, the cost savings resulting from the sharing of resources and facilities could be channelled to more programmes to benefit those in need.

3          The purpose-built AWWA Special School is part of MOE's redevelopment programme to improve the facilities of our special schools. This school is the 6th of the purpose-built special schools that MOE has supported for redevelopment. The new facilities can better cater to the specific needs of their pupils. As a partner in special education, for each redevelopment project, the government undertakes 90% of the development cost for standard specifications. For AWWA Special School, this amounts to some $5.7m. MOE also provides technical support to the school at the planning stage and during the building process.

4          The new AWWA school building will have modern facilities and features that are customised to meet the needs of pupils with multiple disabilities. It promises to be more spacious and will have 24 classrooms. Thus, AWWA Special School will be able to further enhance its programmes and have the capacity to cater to 400 pupils, double that of its existing enrolment. However, I would like to emphasize that no matter how modern and beautiful the infrastructure is, it is not the building alone that makes for quality programmes. Fundamentally, it is the people and their strong sense of passion and mission, which can truly make a difference to the lives of the children with disabilities.

5          Together with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), MOE will continue to support AWWA in its delivery of special education. The school has served pupils with multiple disabilities since March 1979. For the last two decade, it has contributed not only directly to improving the lives of the children. It has also helped parents and families to better understand and cater to the special needs of their children.

6          In 2000, AWWA Special School reached a new milestone when it extended its services to include children with autism. Project Challenge for Children with Autism was started and I am told that there are now 40 children on the programme. I would like to urge AWWA Special School, that as you develop the expertise and gain more experience, to take on the challenge to serve more children with autism in the coming years. AWWA's contribution will have a great impact on the children who will benefit from special schools where they learn in an environment that best caters to their needs. AWWA can be assured of the same support that MOE together with NCSS has given to Project Challenge for the past two years.

7          In 2002, realising the need to develop teacher capability to manage children with autism, MOE and NCSS have put in place a training programme in autism. To-date, 36 teachers from the special schools have completed their training and another 28 are undergoing the second run of the training course. I hope AWWA will continue to take advantage of the training programme.

8          Looking at AWWA's track record since its inception in 1970, AWWA has reached a new height of professionalism in the provision of special education in Singapore. AWWA has what it takes to deliver quality service for every programme it has set its heart to achieve. Over the years, it has won the trust and confidence of parents and the community through consistently delivering what it sets out to do. However, its purpose would not have been accomplished if not for the passion and abiding commitment of many caring individuals who make up AWWA - members of the management committees, the staff, the volunteers and the many well-wishers and organizations it is collaborating with.

9          AWWA's mission to serve the community is indeed a noble one. I commend AWWA and its supporters for their untiring efforts in looking after the welfare needs of the disadvantaged among us.

10        In closing, I would like to wish AWWA all the very best for its continued success in the years ahead. I am confident that its efforts in meeting the needs of the disadvantaged and less fortunate will make Singapore a better home for all of us.