Sarawak added the OSEIC to cover the need for early intervention

KUCHING, 15 September: Sarawak needs to add an Early Childhood Intervention Centre (OSEIC) to meet the growing need for early intervention among children with special needs in the region.

The Minister of Women, Child Development and Community Welfare, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the number of children requiring intervention is now more than the capacity available.

"We find in terms of numbers beyond the space we can provide. So with that, we have to increase the number", he said.

He said this in a press conference after the launch of Estella Child Development Centre at Urban Residence, here today.

According to Fatimah, in-service training is also provided for teachers to improve knowledge and skills in educating and handling children with special needs.

In addition to teachers, he said, OSEIC also provides training and exposure to parents to increase understanding and support for the development of children with special needs.

"OSEIC also provides training and exposure not only for teachers but also for parents", he said.

He said that increased awareness among parents also encourages more people to get early diagnosis and intervention for their children before entering formal education.

According to him, among the next plans is the establishment of a new OSEIC at Special Needs Community Centre (SNCC), in addition to expanding services to Miri and several other areas in Sarawak.

"Teacher labour needs will also be planned along with the OSEIC expansion including in terms of recruitment and training to ensure that the centre's capacity can be enhanced as needed.

"We've already planned how much Miri needs, for example, and when we expand the OSEIC in Dalat, we plan how much more it will need", he explained.