Kedah’s 239 schools run special education integrated programmes for 8,559 students, with a new RM4 million building at SK Gunong to support learning disabilities.
ALOR SETAR: A total of 239 primary and secondary schools in Kedah currently host the Special Education Integrated Programme (PPKI) to accommodate students with special needs.
State Education Director Abdul Rahim Mat said the programme involves 8,559 students across 879 classes.
Out of the total, 154 PPKI programmes are in primary schools, comprising five classes for the visually impaired, five for the hearing impaired, 463 for learning disabilities and two for dyslexia.
Another 85 PPKI programmes are in secondary schools, involving four classes for the visually impaired, 15 for the hearing impaired, and 385 for learning disabilities.
“We also have plans to ensure every district has a PPKI, as demand for learning disability programmes is quite high,” Abdul Rahim said.
He added that the department aims for at least one dedicated building per district across 10 districts.
Abdul Rahim spoke following the handover of a new PPKI supplementary building at Sekolah Kebangsaan Gunong and the distribution of early schooling aid.
The SK Gunong building, valued at over RM4 million, will accommodate more than 30 students with learning disabilities.
It is equipped with specialised facilities for those with special needs.
Ministry of Education Secretary-General Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim officiated the ceremony.
In his speech, Aminuddin expressed hope that schools would fully utilise the new facilities provided.
“We hope these facilities are well-maintained,” he said.
He urged schools to report any defects immediately so contractors can carry out urgent repairs.
