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SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE
Special Education Resource Centers (SERC)
The Special Education Resource Centres work in direct contact with children with special needs by providing them adequate aids and skills suitable enabling them to live a normal quality life.Community Based Rehabilitation is a program within SERC comprising of early childhood intervention.SERCs also establish a clinic that caters for the ear and eye care and screening. SERCs are managed and financially assisted by the
· Catholic Diocese
· National Department of Education
The SERCs are also what is called national institutions established under the Education Act. They are governed through an approved Education Agency, and for most cases it is a Catholic Education Agency. The Education Agency appoints a Board of Governors for the SERC which
makesrecommendations about appointment of staff members for approved teachingpositions (with the actual appointment done by the National EducationBoard),
· plans for the future of the SERC, and
· oversees financialmanagement on behalf of the Education Agency which has ultimateresponsibility of the SERC.
The Board of Governors also develops and oversees the implementation of appropriate policies. In the case of one SERC the Board of Governors deals directly with National Education Board, and is not under the governance of another approved Education Agency.
The Network currentlly works in partnership with 19Special Education Resource Centreslocated across Papua New Guinea.They are located in 17 different Provinces at the follwoing locations; Vanimo (Sanduan Province), Aitape (Sanduan Province), Wewak (East Sepik Province), Madang (Madang Province), Lae (Morobe Province), Lorengau (Manus Province), Buka (Autonomous Region of Bougainville), Kavieng (New Ireland Province), Kimbe (West New Britain Province), Rabaul (East New Britain Province), Alotau (Miline Bay Province), Gerehu (National Capital District), Daru (Western Province), Kiunga (Western Province), Mendi (Southern Highlands Province), Wabag (Enga Province), Mount Hagen (Western Highlands Province), Mingendie (Simbu Province), Goroka (Eastern Highlands Province).
All SERC sites, except for Wabag, Morobe and Madang are established under the local Catholic Education Agencies. Morobe SERC and Creative Self Help Centre in Madang are established under the National Department of Education while Callan SercWabag is established under the Enga Province Education Authority.
Services offered by the SERCs
The Special Education Resource Centers conduct the folloiwng services
· Schools Screening
· Community Screening
· Early Intervension
· Assitive Devices distribution and maintenance
· Ear and Eye Clinic
· Deaf Teaching
· Sign Language Development