Annual Average Expenses in Caring for Special Needs Child between Ages of Seven and 18 for Education, Therapy Support and Rehabilitation Treatment

23 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Education for 2010 to 2020, what is the annual average expense in caring for a special needs child between the ages of seven and 18 for (i) education (ii) therapy support and (iii) rehabilitation treatment respectively.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: Students aged seven to 18 with Special Educational Needs (SEN) may have needs ranging from mild to severe and thus require different kinds of support. The cost of supporting students' needs, including their family's out-of-pocket expenses, can, therefore, vary widely, especially if families opt for private services to support their child's SEN. To this end, the provisions offered through mainstream and SPED schools are very important in providing access to affordable support to all students with SEN.

Eighty percent of students with SEN attend mainstream schools. They may have SEN, such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mild autism, sensory or physical impairment. They can access a range of SEN support provided by the schools at no additional cost. For example, they may be supported by SEN officers, formerly known as allied educators specialising in learning and behavioural support, in consultation with MOE Educational Psychologists. They may also take part in targeted interventions such as School-Based Dyslexia Remediation, Facing Your Fears (a transition support intervention for Secondary students) and TRANSIT (a self-management skills intervention for Primary One students).

MOE also partners organisations such as AWWA, The Singapore Association for the Deaf and the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS), to provide specialised support services for students with specific needs. In addition to the grant that MOE gives DAS directly to offer the Main Literacy Programme (MLP) for students with Dyslexia, MOE also provides means-tested financial assistance to defray the cost of MLP fees. About 30% of the students on MLP pay no fees at all. MOE also provides funding for Assistive Technology devices for students with Sensory and Physical Impairment. These devices are fully funded by MOE for eligible students in Primary schools. In Secondary schools, Junior Colleges and Millenia Institute, eligible students co-pay 5% of total cost of the devices (capped at $50 for each application) and they keep the devices upon graduation.

Students with moderate to severe SEN and who require more intensive and specialised assistance attend our Special Education (SPED) schools. Their SPED teachers, allied professionals, such as Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists, as well as other specialised personnel such as Job Coaches are fully funded by MOE and community funding administered by the National Council of Social Service and SG Enable. Parents do not need to pay additional charges for these services.

Currently, SPED school fees range between $14 and $250 for Singapore Citizens per month. Eligible students from lower-income families may tap on the MOE SPED Financial Assistance Scheme, which fully covers school fees and the cost of textbooks and school attire. It also covers subsidies for school meals and public transport. For school bus transport, students can apply for the Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) Transport Subsidies, administered by SG Enable.

MOE is committed to helping students with SEN in both mainstream and SPED schools access the support they need. Together with our schools and with greater commitment from society and employers, let us all work towards maximising the potential of students with SEN towards leading independent and meaningful lives.