M'sia schools to offer M'sian Sign Language in 2027 curriculum to foster inclusivity

From 2027, mainstream schools in Malaysia will give students the opportunity to study Malaysian Sign Language as an additional subject.

It will be offered under the 2027 school curriculum, to promote inclusivity both in and out of school, Malay Mail reported.

The country's Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said in Malaysia's Parliament on Mar. 9 that the initiative complements the ministry's ongoing efforts to allow students with disabilities and mainstream students to learn together in mainstream schools.

As part of the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI), these efforts include offering Communicative Sign Language and Basic Education for Individuals with Visual Impairment as subjects in primary schools since 2011.

"Participation from mainstream students can improve understanding and tolerance towards persons with disabilities," Wong said.

The new initiative will help to foster an inclusive school culture that encourages social integration from an early stage, he added.

Other support for people with disabilities

The Malaysian government will continue to expand its initiatives to ensure children with disabilities do not get left behind in terms of opportunities.

They will focus on welfare and financial support, inclusive education, early intervention, skills training, and legal protection, said the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Nancy Shukri at the same Mar. 9 parliamentary session.

For education, apart from PPKI, the ministry has been giving grants for early intervention programmes to childcare centres that cater to children with disabilities.

Such initiatives enable these children to learn alongside mainstream school students, and develop social skills from an early stage, Nancy said.

Top image from Listening Lab Malaysia