THIS is with reference to the letter ‘Special schools’ (Oct 24), which rightly pointed out that our society lacks adequate quality institutions catering to the needs of special children, and that there is insufficient guidance available to the parents conc-erned. This often results in time wastage as families search for the right resources, and then poor guidance exacerbates the challenges faced by the children and their families. Having worked in the field for 15 years, I believe the issue deserves greater attention. Not only do we need more schools specialising in education of those with special needs, but there is also a pressing shortage of experts as well as trained professionals in this domain. As such, institutions focussing on bri-dging critical gaps in quality services for this vulnerable population provide educational, therapeutic and vocational training support to children with special needs. Devoted multidisciplinary teams colla-borate to develop and deliver individua-lised education plans tailored to the specific needs of each child under their care. These institutions play a vital role in society. However, they alone cannot meet the needs of the growing population in the region. Collective efforts from both public and private organisations working within their unique spheres can help close this gap, easing the challenges faced by the children with special needs and their families.