(Malaysia) 132 autism classes "to meet growing demand"; 70,000 children nationwide
- 1 day ago
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The Community Development Department (KEMAS) will expand autism classes in Sarawak from one currently to 24 next year to widen access to formal education for children from lower-income families.
The initiative in the state is part of a broader nationwide expansion by KEMAS, which will see a total of 132 autism classes established across the country to meet growing demand.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said the initiative was particularly important in rural areas, where families may not be able to afford private autism education costing between RM700 and RM1,000 per child monthly.
She said national statistics showed more than 70,000 children with autism nationwide, highlighting the need to expand affordable educational services.
Southeast Asians & Pacific Islanders . . .
Meanwhile, KEMAS is also set to expand its smart classroom initiative in Sarawak, with three to four more classes expected to be upgraded next year.
Rubiah said a pilot project had been carried out at a KEMAS kindergarten in Samariang, where the facility was renovated and equipped with digital facilities including a smartboard.
She said the smart classroom concept involved the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and would be implemented in phases nationwide. . . .
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