Asean centre in Nilai to train teachers of disabled Read more: Asean centre in Nilai to train teachers of disabled

REGIONAL BOOST: Seameo Centre for Special Education to provide resources

 KUALA LUMPUR:  A NEW special education centre, based in Malaysia, will offer training and support to educators from the Asean region   working with students with disabilities.  

  Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Rosli Mohamed said the Seameo Regional Centre for Special Education (Seameo Sen) would provide teachers and support personnel with the resources needed to boost the special education field.

  The centre, he said, was part of Malaysia's agreement with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (Seameo) Council to look into the region's needs for specialisation and improving education access.
  "Seameo Sen will focus on three areas,   namely  training, research and support, to strengthen education for students with special needs, including those with learning disabilities."

Rosli said this after signing the memorandum of agreement with Seameo secretariat director Dr Witaya Jeradechakul yesterday.

  The   ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Seameo Council president and Brunei Education Minister Pehin Abu Bakar Apong.

  Under the agreement, Seameo Sen will aim to improve special education practices and research by establishing a regional resource network for teachers, specialists, educational institutes and non-governmental organi-sations.
  Rosli said the centre would be based at the  Education Ministry's complex in Bandar Enstek, Nilai.

It would draw its professional staff from experts and other  qualified candidates from the Asean region.   

  First proposed in 2010, it is now temporarily located at the Malay Women's Teacher Training Institute campus in Malacca.

  "The first phase will involve drafting and preparing the centre's training programmes and policies, based on Malaysia's own experience in this field," Rosli said.

 He said  there were currently 33 schools under the ministry   offering special education.    

  He said the centre would  be entirely funded by the Malaysian government, with additional funding to be raised through seminars and training programmes.