Oct 5, 2022, Straits Times: New school for children with autism spectrum disorder opens in Bedok https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/new-school-for-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-opens-in-bedok
Singaporeans can send a strong signal in support of employers who hire people with special needs by patronising their shops and showing greater understanding to the people with disabilities that serve them, said President Halimah Yacob on Thursday.
Speaking at the official opening of a specialised school for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Bedok, she said Singaporeans' lack of tolerance, their impatience and sometimes outright rudeness can be a disincentive to employers hiring those with special needs.
Madam Halimah marked the opening of the school, known as Awwa School @ Bedok, by planting a sapling rainbow gum tree on its grounds. It is a species native to South-east Asia known for its rainbow-coloured bark.
The new school, which started operating in January 2022, will serve students aged seven to 18.
Principal Ruby Seah said in a speech that the new school was made possible by the support and resources pooled from the community, parents, donors and the Government….
It is funded by the Ministry of Education, SG Enable and corporate donors….
There are currently 65 students enrolled in the school. It has capacity for 300, and one teacher for every five students….
Awwa School @ Bedok is one of four government-funded special education (Sped) schools opening in 2022 as part of ongoing efforts to improve accessibility to Sped schools for students with moderate-to-severe learning disabilities.
There are currently 22 government-funded Sped schools run by 12 social service agencies.
President Halimah Yacob observing an activity in the art room of Awwa School @ Bedok on Thursday.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI