KPWKM mulls creation of sign language interpreter post in government agencies

Its deputy minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff said the move was to fulfill the needs of people with hearing disabilities, when dealing with government agencies.

"For a start, the ministry hopes the government will consider this suggestion, with at least one position for each agency.

"This effort will be an encouragement to achieve the policy of one per cent of persons with disabilities (PWD) in the civil sector and reduce miscommunications," she said during the oral question and answer session in Parliament.

She was responding to a supplementary question from Chan Ming Kai (PH-Alor Setar) on the ministry's readiness to increase the grant allocation for the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MDF) and other non-governmental organisations, as well as placing more interpreters for official matters.

Siti Zailah said a total of RM2 million had been allocated to MDF from 2014 to 2019, including administration grants and contributions for volunteer interpreters.

In a related development, the Education Ministry plans to implement contract-based intake for special education teachers in 2021 if necessary, said its deputy minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

He said this was among the ministry's effort to serve students with special needs (MBK), apart from preparing quality and sufficient special education teachers.

As of June 30, there are 92,755 MBK from the Special Education Schools (SPK), Integrated Special Education Programmes (PPKI) and Inclusive Education Programme (PPI), while the total number of special education teachers is 16,492.

"To fulfill the need for special education teachers, the Education Ministry will continue the student intake for the Bachelor in Teaching Programme (PISMP) with special education option, at Teacher Education Institutes.

"This year, a total of 180 PISMP students with special education option have been offered placements. With this, the total number of new teachers from 2022 to 2025 is 516 people.

"Additionally, the ministry also conducted the Add Option Intervention Programme (PITO) for special education this year, involving 360 mainstream teachers," said Mah.

He was responding to a question from Teo Nie Ching (PH-Kulai) who wanted to know the total number of students with special needs and special education teachers as well as the plans to increase the teaching staff.