KENINGAU: In its commitment to advancing equitable learning opportunities through purposeful learning, Taylor’s College has unveiled an extensive initiative to bolster special education at SK Bingkor here.
The College Campus Director, Josephine Tan, said collaborating with the winner of the RISE Educator Award 2023, Dr Vellerie Wheelervon Primus, the institution supports the school’s ‘Integrated Sensory Therapy Room and Snoezelen Project’.
“In our mission to become not only the best tertiary institution in the world but also the best for the world, we recognise that education is the cornerstone of lifelong success.
“We believe that investing in projects like these serves as the catalyst for meaningful change—not just for the students and the school, but for the nation’s education ecosystem as well because it lays the foundation for a more empowered, knowledgeable, and prosperous society,” she said at the opening ceremony of the school Sensory Therapy Room and Integration Special Education Building on Tuesday.
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Tan said the Integrated Sensory Therapy Room and Snoezelen Project embodies the institution commitment to redefining education and fostering an inclusive, transformative learning environment.
She said the funding of this project comes at a time when there is an urgent need for a specialised learning facility to support special education needs in Sabah.
According to a Unicef report titled “Children Out of School: The Sabah Context” (2017), while Malaysia offers various education options for children with physical and learning disabilities, these facilities are primarily located in urban areas, presenting challenges for disabled children in rural areas to access schools.
“Despite the existence of special education systems, not all children with disabilities receive necessary interventions or tailored learning due to factors such as inadequate infrastructure and limited access to assistive technology.
“Specifically, in Keningau, Vellerie noted that special education needs learning facilities are limited, especially when accommodating students with disabilities like autism and ADHD in the same class.
“More than 65 per cent of SK Bingkor’s special needs students fall into this unique demographic. For them, the learning journey is distinct, demanding the integration of play-based learning elements,” she said.
She said this project serves as a dedicated support system, ensuring they receive guidance that goes beyond traditional classrooms, significantly enhancing their sensory abilities.
In addition to being the champion of the RISE Educator Award, Vellerie a teacher of the special education at the school holds the title of State Cultural Icon in Sabah and has earned numerous accolades at the state, national, and international levels.
These include the Excellence Teacher 2022, State Cultural Icon Teacher of Sabah for 2021 and 2022, Innovation Teacher 2022, National Performing Arts Teacher Candidate 2023, Sabah Chief Minister’s Award 2018, Sabah State Ministry of Technology and Innovation Award 2019, Golden Award Folklore Dance Russian Federation 2021, and more than 10 gold awards in innovation competitions.
The school Headmistress, Madalina Juanis went on to explain that this project aligns with Vellerie’s mission to uplift the rights of students with special education needs in Sabah.
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