Special education teachers deserve a raise too

I applaud the move by the Ministry of Education to raise teachers' monthly pay by 4 per cent to 9 per cent ("Pay rise for teachers and boost for non-grads among them"; Aug 19).

But I question why there is no similar increment for special education teachers in organisations like Rainbow Centre and other special needs establishments.

These teachers bear not only the challenging responsibility of teaching and caring for their special needs charges, but some also face the possibility of injury when caring for these children, especially when they throw tantrums.

I know of staff who have been bitten or hit by their charges in the course of their work.

It is, therefore, not surprising that staff turnover in such schools is high. Those who remain are really the stout-hearted ones and take their work as a calling to help these children.

Shouldn't they be rewarded with commensurate pay increases?

Wong Poo Yang

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