THE state government has approved an additional allocation of RM850,000 to implement improvements at Sekolah Pendidikan Khas cerebral palsy Johor.

Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said of the total, RM350,000 would be allocated towards improving the school’s computer centre, whereas RM500,000 would go towards the physiotherapy centre.

“Hopefully, it (allocation) can contribute towards the education and development of these special children. God willing, the state government will do its best to help ease the burden this school is facing.” 

“I am amazed by the commitment, dedication and patience showed by parents and teachers in raising and educating these special children,” he said in a post on Facebook today.

Onn Hafiz, who is also the president of the Johor Cerebral Palsy Association (JCPA), said there were 63 students aged four to 18 in the school and believed that there are many more children with the same condition who were not referred there.

Elaborating, he said early detection of cerebral palsy is important to help assess the level of the disorder so that appropriate therapy can be provided at the school as the children in question might possess great potential.

“Maybe some parents do not know where to seek treatment, therapy and so on, and in this matter, cooperation among all parties is important. If hospitals or health clinics can detect abnormalities in babies undergoing a routine examination, (they can) advise parents to take their child to this school.”

“While greeting the students, I had the opportunity to talk with a former student, Al Asyraf Zulkefli, who is now a member of the school’s board of directors holding the portfolio of director of education and management,” he said during the visit to the school this morning.

The state government through the Johor Menteri Besar’s Office channels RM730,000 to the school every year. – Bernama, August 1, 2022.