All schools to be disabled-friendly by 2020 - Mahdzir

The education ministry has targeted that by 2020, schools nationwide be upgraded with facilities for the disabled, says minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Thus, he hoped more private companies would come forward to collaborate with the ministry in providing such facilities for students with special needs.

"The ministry itself takes the responsibility of providing the facilities (to the disabled) at new schools, but we need strategic partners to fund for old schools," he said.

Mahdzir was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ministry and RHB Foundation here Wednesday.

The collaboration benefits 505 disabled students at five schools in the Klang Valley, namely SK Seri Indah and SMK Desa Perdana in Kuala Lumpur; SK Bukit Rimau and SM Pendidikan Khas Vokasional in Shah Alam; and SMK Taman Desa 2 in Rawang.

The RM500,000 project involves upgrading facilities such as new toilets for the disabled, pick-up and drop-off areas, ramps and handrails. These facilities were completed last year.

Mahdzir said the five schools were chosen based on the highest number of students with special needs.

Earlier in his speech, the minister said there were currently 76,166 disabled students at selected schools nationwide. - Bernama