More than 100 special needs children and teachers at the Asian Women Welfare's Association (AWWA) Special School received a festive Chinese New Year greeting from President Tony Tan on Tuesday.

Dr Tan, who is visiting the AWWA school for the first time, joined in a "Lo-Hei" with school staff and also viewed a lion dance performance put up by students.

One student, 12-year-old Faith Diong, who suffers from multiple complications that inhibit her swallowing and breathing, said that she was "happy and excited" to have met and greeted Dr Tan when he arrived at the school.

Dr Tan also joined students inside a classroom equipped with iPads and computers. These are used to teach the students hand gestures and skills like cooking noodles, said AWWA's school principal Mrs Ruby Seah.

Started in 1979, the school caters to 262 children and teenagers aged between 7 and 18 years old with a range of special needs.