Curriculum in special education schools
The curriculum of special education schools is tailored to support children with moderate to
severe special educational needs. Learn about the types of curriculum and which option can be
more beneficial to your child.
Special Education (SPED) Curriculum Framework
Introduced in 2012, the SPED Curriculum Framework of Living, Learning and Working in the
21st century sets a common direction for excellence in teaching and learning while providing
flexibility and space for SPED schools to customise their curriculum to meet the unique needs of
their diverse student profiles.
The framework articulates the vision of ‘Active in the community, Valued in the society' for
special education, and the education outcomes of ‘living, learning and working'. The 6 core
learning domains are:
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Academic
Daily living
Physical education and sports
Social-emotional
The arts
Vocational
The framework also affirms the importance of Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) as the
foundation for a values-based special education, and the use of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) as an enabler for teaching and learning.
Types of curriculum
There are 2 types of curriculum that children with moderate to severe special educational needs
can take:
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Customised
National
Customised curriculum
Special education schools generally offer customised curriculum aimed at providing a childcentred, holistic learning experience for children with special needs.
The curriculum is intended to develop students' potential and equip them with essential
knowledge and life skills through key learning areas in as mentioned in the SPED Curriculum
Framework.
Find out about the special education schools' programmes and support through their open
houses.
National curriculum
Children with special needs can take the national curriculum at selected SPED schools if they
have been assessed to have:
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Adequate cognitive skills, such as reasoning, working and long-term memory, to learn
the national curriculum.
Adaptive skills, such as communication, social skills, that require additional specialised
support.
As compared to class sizes in mainstream primary schools, these children will be in smaller class
sizes to better meet their additional needs and will receive support in practical skills such as daily
living skills and social-emotional skills.
After successfully completing the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), your child can
choose to study in a mainstream secondary school. The choice of secondary school will depend
on your child's PSLE results.
Children with autism spectrum disorder can choose to take the national secondary curriculum
at Pathlight School or St. Andrew's Mission School.
Some children's needs may be best supported in designated secondary schools. Learn more
about support in mainstream schools.