Singapore Network for Inclusive Learning (SNIL): Enabling Education For Everyone

News and Blog

Singapore Network for Inclusive Learning (SNIL): Enabling Education For Everyone

Every child deserves an education that makes them feel safe, supported, and seen. Yet, for many students with Special Education Needs (SEN), that sense of belonging remains a daily challenge. Not because of a lack of care, but because of the gaps that still exist between awareness, training, and practice.

SEN students may learn differently due to diverse physical, developmental, or sensory conditions. Many thrive with tailored teaching approaches or one-on-one support from educators — something that is not always available in mainstream classrooms.

At the same time, inclusion looks different for every learner. While some students require individualised support or specialised environments, others need the social and cognitive stimulation of a typical classroom to learn and grow. True inclusion lies in understanding where each student learns best and ensuring that every setting is equipped to support them.

The lack of public understanding about differing learning needs also makes it hard for students with SEN to access proper support during their schooling years. As a result, these students may struggle to access the support they need to participate in school life fully.

That’s where the Singapore Network for Inclusive Learning (SNIL) intends to step in. Created to bridge the gap between theory, practice, and policy, SNIL intends to raise awareness about inclusive learning so that students with SEN have better support in the future.

At the heart of this is Shirlyn Lee, SNIL’s Founding President Elect and alumna of the Master of Special and Inclusive Education (MSIE) program at Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education. Her story shows how one educator’s journey can inspire a movement.

Connecting The Gaps

As an educator, Shirlyn saw how isolation could take root in both students and teachers. Many professionals working with children with SEN face unique challenges like limited resources and the emotional weight of wanting to do more. It’s often the small, consistent actions that make the biggest difference.

That experience planted the seed for SNIL.

Together with her MSIE coursemates and lecturers, Shirlyn wanted to create a space where professionals could come together, share what they’ve learnt, and lift one another up. That idea grew into SNIL, a community built on the belief that while research and evidence guide the way, it is empathy that truly makes a difference for students who learn differently.

As Shirlyn explains, “We saw a gap in Singapore: while advocacy groups and service providers existed, there was no community of practice dedicated to inclusive learning itself. Together, we wanted to extend the collaborative spirit of the MSIE program into something lasting.”

SNIL’s model of being practitioner-led, alumni-driven, and faculty-advised keeps its work firmly rooted in both research and real-world experiences. It hopes to be the bridge that ensures inclusivity in Singapore grows in depth and humanity.

From Theory to Practice

Shirlyn’s journey into inclusive education began with the realisation that good intentions alone weren’t enough. Her time in the MSIE program was where it all clicked for her.

“The MSIE program reshaped how I see education – it made me realise that theory only matters when it improves practice,” she says.

Surrounded by peers who shared her passion for inclusive education, Shirlyn began to see how change can start small. Through meaningful collaborations, reflection, and shared purpose, they imagined how they could create spaces where folks could connect and grow together.

By connecting educators and professionals across different walks of life, SNIL helps to reduce professional isolation. It serves as a space where support and resources can be given, strategies can be formulated, and the continuous learning of inclusivity can occur.

Marching Towards An Inclusive Future

While empowering educators is at the heart of SNIL’s mission, Shirlyn and her team know that inclusion does not stop in the classroom space. Real and honest change only happens when communities understand and embrace the value of diversity. It is the reason why SNIL places a strong emphasis on community engagement.

One of SNIL’s most powerful initiatives, Beyond Labels, is a ‘human library’ project where individuals with lived experiences of disability share their stories directly with the public. The conversations are often deeply human and break stereotypes, building empathy in ways that cold, hard data alone cannot.

It’s moments like this that have Shirlyn remarking, “Every time someone leaves an SNIL event with a new understanding of what inclusion means, that’s already a small victory.”

SNIL brings its mission to life by actively participating in national movements like the Purple Parade, Singapore’s largest celebration of disability inclusion. This year, they hosted their signature campaign activation – the Beyond Labels initiative, and proudly marched alongside thousands of participants in solidarity with the disability community at Purple Parade 2025.

Participation in these initiatives reinforces SNIL’s broader goal of complementing Singapore’s Enabling Masterplan 2030. SNIL hopes to continue deepening public understanding and compassion. By making inclusion visible, relatable, and human, they want to cultivate a culture where diversity is not merely accepted but celebrated.

The Road Ahead

As Shirlyn says, “Real inclusion happens when it becomes second nature. When every child, parent, and teacher feels they belong in the same space of learning.”

SNIL’s journey has only just begun. As they continue to grow, the organisation is working to explore research partnerships to study teacher preparedness. Through that, they hope to identify systemic gaps in the professional support. They also hope to expand outreach efforts and provide a holistic pool of resources for professionals and parents.

This vision continues to be Shirlyn’s motivation.

The success of inclusion depends on collective understanding and shared responsibility. Today, SNIL has grown into a movement that connects people through compassion, understanding, and shared purpose.

Shirlyn’s journey with the MSIE program didn’t just shape her professional path; it became the foundation for a community dedicated to lifelong inclusion. Learn more about the program that builds founders like Shirlyn. If her story has inspired you, reach out to Newcastle Australia’s Future Students team at singapore-enquiry@newcastle.edu.au.

Get the latest Newcastle Australia news delivered to your inbox

Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education Pte Ltd is a wholly owned entity of The University of Newcastle.

PEI Reg No: 200603214N
Validity: 23/03/2024 – 22/03/2028

Visit Us

Main Campus:
100 Victoria Street, #13-01/02
National Library Building
Singapore 188064

230 Victoria Street, #04-09/10
Bugis Junction Towers
Singapore 188024

Sitemap

Professor Abhishek Singh Bhati

Professor Abhishek Singh Bhati is the Pro Vice-Chancellor and CEO at the Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education. Previously, Abhishek held Interim Deputy Vice Chancellor and Campus Dean roles at Universities in Australia and Singapore. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business (Tourism Management) from James Cook University and Master of Business Administration in Marketing Management (MBA) from Maastricht School of Management. In addition, he obtained post-graduate learning and teaching qualifications, Graduate Certificate in Education Tertiary Teaching (GCETT) and Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education (DACE).

Abhishek is the Regional Vice-President (SE Asia) of International Tourism Studies Association and makes regular contributions to print media and appearances on TV and radio on tourism-related matters. He serves as a volunteer with Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and mentors Universities in Malaysia and Thailand. He actively participates as a National Environment Agency (NEA) community engagement volunteer and in Purple Parade activities. He is recognised as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He contributes to corporate governance through his Board Directorship of Singapore based enterprises. He serves as a member of the WIL SIG under Australian Collaborative Education Network (ACEN) and is a member of the Academy of Management, USA.

Abhishek is an active researcher, and his research has been published in a wide variety of reputable publications in the field of tourism and scholarship of learning and teaching. In particular, he is interested in technology and the role it has as a catalyst for tourism industry changes, Low-carbon tourism for future sustainable development, and the need for tourism to deliver United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His current research interest is tourist behaviour management, resilience planning and scholarship in Teaching and Learning.

Mr Bill Chua

Bill Chua has served on local and foreign boards for the past twenty years. He is currently an Independent Director on the boards of IES-INCA Pte Ltd, United Hampshire US REIT Management Pte Ltd, Sunseap Group Pte Ltd, Citibank Singapore Limited, and BoardRoom Executive Services Pte Ltd, and a Managing Partner and Director of Green Sands Equity Inc. Previously he had served on the boards of Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited, Jurong International, Clearing and Payments Services Pte Ltd, DSO National Laboratories, Defence Science & Technology Agency and Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd, and CLS AG.

Bill retired from United Overseas Bank (UOB) as the Managing Director and Head Global Financial Institution Group in November 2014 after thirty-four years of a successful and distinguished career in the financial services sector. He was also on the boards of several affiliates and subsidiaries of UOB. Given his extensive banking experience, and engineering background, he is often called upon to provide the oversight for the Governance, Risk & Compliance functions on the boards he is on, and to advise on business and financial strategies, and issues relating to technology, operations and processes.

Bill is active in the financial, education and social communities. He chaired the sub committees on operations at the Association of Banks in Singapore, and the Singapore Foreign Exchange Markets Committee. He was a member of the Singapore Management University Lee Kong Chian School of Business Advisory Board, a resource member of the Parliamentary Committees for the Ministries of Finance and Trade & Industry, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence. He is currently on the Board of Governors at SAFRA National Service Association, and the honorary advisor to the Investment Committee at the Association. He is also currently a member of the Investment Committee at the Singapore University of Technology & Design. He was awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 2004, and the Public Service Star (BBM) in 2016 by the Government of Singapore.

Bill was a Colombo Plan Scholar. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, and a Bachelor of Engineering Hons Class 1 from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is a Fellow at the Singapore Institute of Directors, and at the Institution of Engineers, Singapore.

News and Blog