Special Education Expansion in Singapore: Three New SPED Schools Planned by Early 2030s
MOE expands capacity as autism diagnoses among students continue rising
Singapore is expanding its special education system with new schools and larger campuses to address growing demand, particularly among students diagnosed with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Rising Demand for Special Education
Singapore’s Ministry of Education has announced plans to build three new special education schools by the early 2030s to meet increasing demand. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Syed Harun Alhabsyi revealed the plan during the ministry’s budget debate on March 3.
The expansion aims to support a projected 12,000 students in SPED schools by the early 2030s, an increase of about 30 percent from the current 9,000 students.
New Schools Across the Island
The first of the new schools will be run by APSN Education Services and is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2026 in Singapore’s north-east region.
Two additional schools will be established by the Autism Association Singapore and St Andrew’s Autism Centre. The new institutions will improve geographic accessibility for families across the island.
Growth in Autism-Related Needs
According to the Ministry of Education, students with autism now represent the largest group among those with special educational needs in Singapore.
Officials said the rise in diagnoses, particularly autism with intellectual disability, mirrors global trends and requires stronger education support infrastructure.
Expansion of Existing SPED Schools
In addition to new schools, several existing SPED institutions will receive expanded campuses starting in the second half of 2026. New campuses for MINDS Fernvale Gardens School and MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School will begin operating from interim locations in eastern and central Singapore.
By 2027, a second campus for MINDS Towner Gardens School will open at an interim site in the east, while Woodlands Gardens School will move to a larger interim location in the north.
Digital Integration for Parents and Schools
The Ministry of Education will also extend the Parents Gateway digital platform to all 26 SPED schools starting from the second half of 2026.
The platform allows parents to receive school announcements and submit consent forms or medical certificates digitally. Officials say it will reduce administrative workloads while improving communication between schools and families.
Policy Discussions on Special Needs Support
Members of Parliament raised additional proposals during the debate. Nominated MP Kenneth Poon suggested screening Primary 1 students for executive function skills such as attention, memory, and impulse control to support early planning for classroom assistance.
MP Denise Phua also called for a national framework to ensure consistent identification and support for special needs students across schools, as well as stronger manpower development for SPED educators.
Addressing Life After SPED Education
Phua highlighted concerns about what she described as a “post-18 cliff,” where graduates from SPED schools face limited opportunities after turning 18.
She urged schools to adopt lifelong learning approaches that emphasize work readiness, life skills, and social development, ensuring students with special needs can transition more confidently into adulthood.
Singapore’s expanded SPED infrastructure reflects growing awareness of the need for inclusive education and early support for children with developmental challenges. Strengthening resources, workforce capacity, and long-term learning pathways will be key to ensuring these students thrive beyond the classroom. As neighboring countries like Indonesia continue to develop their own special education systems, Singapore’s model may offer insights into building more inclusive education frameworks across the region.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , CNA (2026)
Keywords: Singapore SPED Schools, Autism Education Singapore, APSN Education Services, MINDS SPED Schools, Special Needs Students Singapore, Parents Gateway SPED