the primary schools, he will state if consideration will be given for the provision thereat of dedicated cla…
(No. B/547) Ms A. Savabaddy (First Member for Port-Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked Minister of Education and Human Resource whether, in regard to the primary schools, he will state if consideration will be given for the provision thereat of dedicated classrooms with special facilities to accommodate children suffering from autism. 33
Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that children with disabilities including 69 children with autism are already being accommodated in SEN integrated units set up in 12 primary schools. These 12 SEN integrated units are headed by trained educators to cater for learners with autism and have dedicated classrooms with the following facilities – 1. Therapy services; 2. Hot meals; 3. Use of tablets; 4. Free transport facilities by bus is provided to the learners and arefund system for bus fare for accompanying parents is provided by the Ministry Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, and 5. Support of each assistance and carers. Activities such as music day, sports day, educational outings are also organised for these learners. Moreover, there are also around 30 learners with autism who are accommodated in the inclusive setup in the mainstream primary schools. These learners are also provided with the support of Teacher Assistants and Carers and benefit from all extra-curricular activities at the level of the schools. In addition, all learners with autism in both SEN Integrated Units and in the mainstream primary schools attend therapy services at the seven Special Education Needs Resource Development Centres and the three Special Education Needs Resource Development Units as scheduled by the Allied Professionals. Transport facilities are provided to them accordingly. Madam Speaker, I wish to highlight that in Budget 2025-2026, my Ministry has been allocated funds to a tune of Rs8 m. for the upgrading of existing seven Special Education Needs Resource Development Centres and the setting up of five additional Special Education Needs Resource Development Units and SEN Integrated Units in primary schools. All necessary facilities will be extended to these units. My Ministry will start the necessary procedures for the setting up and upgrading of the new units. Thank you.
Are you happy, Ms Savabaddy? Yes! Hon. Second Member for Vieux Grand Port and Rose Belle, Mr Seeburn!
34 SMALL SUGAR CANE PLANTERS – REGISTRATION & PRODUCTION