BASIC DIGITAL SKILLS TO BE ADDED TO FOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS’ CURRICULUM
As basic digital skills are merged into four special education schools’ academic curriculum next year, more than 700 students will be learning to engage in online chats, use emails and make e-payments. These students, with mild intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, are from the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) Delta Senior School, APSN Tanglin School, Grace Orchard School and Metta School.
Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) stated that a pilot version of this programme has already been conducted earlier this year, with 70 students. Positive feedback from the pilot programme has pushed this initiative to be merged into to the schools’ curriculum.
Grace Orchard School’s pricipal, Lisa Goh, claims that these essential digital skills have allowed students to be increasingly independent. With this skillset, students will be able to book amenities on government websites and purchase groceries online.
She believes that their improved access to the community is essential as the country works towards a Smart Nation.
Apart from being able to access basic necessities online, the students will also be introduced to a virtual reality game. Through the gaming platform, the students will be able to learn about handling cyberbullies, identifying fake news and setting strong passwords.
This scheme will initially be offered at APSN Tanglin School. Interested schools can put in an application at IMDA to have the gaming programme added into their curriculum.
Minister for Communications and Information, S Iswaran, stated that people have accomplished a lot more with the aid of technology. Since efficient access to technology is a key determinant of the quality of life, it is the duty of all to ensure that every Singaporean is equipped with the skills to benefit from technology, especially senior citizens and people with disabilities.