The lack of Form Four and Form Five classes for deaf students in the State was brought to the attention of the Community Development and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

The Sabah Society for the Deaf (SSD) pointed out to the ministry that after the deaf students have completed their Form Three studies, they can continue Form Four and Five studies only in West Malaysia or join Kolej Vokasional Keningau.

However, the vocational school only offers limited courses for the deaf, like electrical engineering and furniture making courses which are not suitable for the female deaf students.

SSD president Francis Yong explained this to Janet Chee, the permanent secretary to Community Development  and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, when he and the organising committee of the state-level International Deaf Day celebration visited her at her office at Wisma Tun Fuad, Karamunsing recently.

Janet pledged to bring up this issue to the State Cabinet, the minister concerned and the Ministry of Education  and she will back up the Society fully and urges the Society to continue their mission to fight for the welfare of the deaf community in Sabah.

SSD will be organising the state-level International Deaf Day celebration at Imago Shopping  Mall on September 23.

More than 500 people from all over Sabah which include the deaf, deaf families, members of deaf organisations/clubs, deaf schools, teachers, non-governmental organisations, government  agencies, Welfare Department, hospital, hearing aid specialists and others will attend the event.

Jainab will be the guest of honour.

The event  is organised jointly by Sabah Society for the Deaf and Politeknic Kota Kinabalu, Kolej Vokasional Keningau, SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin, SMK Taman Ria,  SK Pendidikan Khas Tuaran,  Sabah Deaf Sports Association and Sabah Deaf Youth Association.

It is organised in conjunction with the 30th  anniversary celebration of the Sabah Society for the Deaf Education Centre.

The main objectives of the event are to promote understanding of deaf issues and to mobilize support for dignity, rights and well-being of deaf people, to showcase deaf talents and skills, to provide an opportunity for cultural exchange, fellowship and networking among the deaf and to provide opportunities for development of self-esteem, self confidence and self reliance of the deaf in Sabah.

The programmes for the event include public awareness talk on deafness, forum on career opportunities for the deaf and sign language workshop. An exibition and a video clip presentation on the activities of the Society Education Centre will also be put up.

The highlight for the event is awards presentation to outstanding deaf under the various categories  i.e. Lifetime Achievement, Individual Achievement, Sportsmanship, Best Employees and awards to students with outstanding academic achievement.

A signing of a memorandum of understanding on employment opportunities for the deaf between SSD and employers will also be held.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by BORNEO POST

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