KUCHING: An additional five activity rooms have been added to the One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) Sarawak to cater to the increasing number of special needs students.
Ministry for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said apart from the recently completed activity classrooms, there was also one sensory integration, one staff room, and one pantry located on the second floor.
“Currently, the additional facilities are awaiting equipment as well as installation of lift,” she said.
Fatimah was speaking to the media after chairing the OSEIC Advisory Committee Meeting at OSEIC Sarawak today.
She said that OSEIC Sarawak, which was officiated on Oct 30, 2020, received good response, with 339 children aged between one and six registered as of July 31, 2022.
“Out of the 339 children, 257 are receiving services at the centre, while 82 are still on the waiting list.
“Hence, the ministry sees there is a need to increase the classrooms and other facilities for these children.
“God willing, by the end of this year with all the facilities in place, we can include those under the waiting list into the centre.”
She also said OSEIC Sarawak was one the biggest early interventions in Malaysia with its good facilities and services.
“We are glad that more and more parents who have children with special needs are coming forward to bring their children to seek treatment.
“This is because early intervention and rehabilitation is important so that special needs children can be enrolled into formal education whether in mainstream or special classes under the Ministry of Education.”
Fatimah also said that with the increase in the number of registered students, the number of staff also needed to be increased to accommodate the new intake and the centre needs.
