Comments on: Children with disabilities & the Compulsory Education Act http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/children-with-disabilities-the-compulsory-education-act/ a community of Singaporeans Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:28:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ananth http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/children-with-disabilities-the-compulsory-education-act/comment-page-1/#comment-117802 Ananth Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:22:33 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=16641#comment-117802 The main issue is that all governments recognise that if there is a mandate, it must be funded. When the Singapore government mandates bcg or measles vaccination for example, it is obliged to provide this for the poor or those unable to afford it. Similarly, compulsory education for disabled children, if mandated will have to be provided. That is what the parents want. They do not want charity or pity. They want an equal right for their children to develop and become productive members of our Society - as our aspirational pledge puts it - one based on justice and equality to achieve happiness, progress and prosperity for our nation. Please have a look at Mr Brown's column on this issue to get a better understanding of this: http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2004/11/today_vsad_hear.html The main issue is that all governments recognise that if there is a mandate, it must be funded.

When the Singapore government mandates bcg or measles vaccination for example, it is obliged to provide this for the poor or those unable to afford it.

Similarly, compulsory education for disabled children, if mandated will have to be provided. That is what the parents want. They do not want charity or pity.

They want an equal right for their children to develop and become productive members of our Society – as our aspirational pledge puts it – one based on justice and equality to achieve happiness, progress and prosperity for our nation.

Please have a look at Mr Brown’s column on this issue to get a better understanding of this:

http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2004/11/today_vsad_hear.html

]]> By: dogbert http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/children-with-disabilities-the-compulsory-education-act/comment-page-1/#comment-117530 dogbert Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:16:08 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=16641#comment-117530 there seems to be a fundamental lack of understanding of the Compulsory Education Act in Singapore and its objectives. The Act is a regulatory one - why would any parent with a disabled child want to be forced to send his child to compulsory education at risk of being fined? there are enough parents who are happy to be exempted from this Act - watch out for a backlash if Maruah misrepresents their interests. what does Maruah's paper suggest for Singapore? there seems to be a fundamental lack of understanding of the Compulsory Education Act in Singapore and its objectives. The Act is a regulatory one – why would any parent with a disabled child want to be forced to send his child to compulsory education at risk of being fined? there are enough parents who are happy to be exempted from this Act – watch out for a backlash if Maruah misrepresents their interests.

what does Maruah’s paper suggest for Singapore?

]]> By: CC http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/children-with-disabilities-the-compulsory-education-act/comment-page-1/#comment-117195 CC Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:34:28 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=16641#comment-117195 It amazes me that we even have to discuss this. Shouldn't the education of children with special needs already be part of compulsory primary education? Why does the government fail to serve this segment of society? Are they worth any less than an able-bodied child? Providing funding to VWOs to manage the schools is different from actually having MOE manage the schools. Why does our government always outsource these responsibilities? It amazes me that we even have to discuss this. Shouldn’t the education of children with special needs already be part of compulsory primary education? Why does the government fail to serve this segment of society? Are they worth any less than an able-bodied child? Providing funding to VWOs to manage the schools is different from actually having MOE manage the schools. Why does our government always outsource these responsibilities?

]]> By: Slow http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/children-with-disabilities-the-compulsory-education-act/comment-page-1/#comment-117063 Slow Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:27:32 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=16641#comment-117063 The question is whether all Singaporeans have a duty of care towards these children. The State has no responsibility except when its members (the citizens) have that responsibility. The question is whether all Singaporeans have a duty of care towards these children. The State has no responsibility except when its members (the citizens) have that responsibility.

]]> By: Andrew Chuah http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/children-with-disabilities-the-compulsory-education-act/comment-page-1/#comment-116866 Andrew Chuah Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:24:12 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=16641#comment-116866 22/11/09 All handicapped children must be fully supported from small till old age and their demise, and all forms of aids must be offered to their parents and after their demise, to those who continue to care for these handicapped people and the State of Singapore must ensure this at all costs. I know what I am talking about as I have was helping out in a handicapped school after my GCE O Level and honest, these are fantastic children and very innoncence. Regards Andrew 22/11/09

All handicapped children must be fully supported from small till old age and their demise, and all forms of aids must be offered to their parents and after their demise, to those who continue to care for these handicapped people and the State of Singapore must ensure this at all costs. I know what I am talking about as I have was helping out in a handicapped school after my GCE O Level and honest, these are fantastic children and very innoncence.

Regards
Andrew

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