A SINGAPORE-based international school is demonstrating how inclusive education can benefit both neurodivergent and neurotypical learners, offering Filipino families abroad an alternative model where children of different learning needs study together in the same classroom.
Founded in 2021, Emuna International School grew out of a father's determination to create better educational opportunities for his son, who is on the autism spectrum. Entrepreneur Gavin Chong first established Emuna House in 2017 to provide affordable therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs, school shadowing, and social development services.
Recognizing the need for an inclusive academic environment, he later expanded the initiative into a full international school.
Rather than separating children with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences, Emuna integrates them into mainstream classrooms alongside neurotypical peers. Students participate in shared lessons and activities while receiving individualized support tailored to their needs.
The school says this approach benefits all learners. Neurodivergent students build confidence, communication skills, and friendships in a natural setting, while their classmates develop empathy, patience, and respect through daily interaction.
Emuna follows the International Primary Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum, complemented by Singapore's English and Mathematics curricula, enabling students to meet internationally recognized academic standards while learning in an inclusive environment.
A significant number of the school's students are Filipinos whose families relocated to Singapore. Many are taught by Filipino educators working alongside an international faculty, providing both academic guidance and cultural familiarity for families adjusting to life abroad.
As discussions on inclusive education continue across Southeast Asia, Emuna offers one example of how schools can combine academic excellence with individualized support. By emphasizing each child's strengths rather than diagnoses, the school aims to create an environment where differences are embraced and every learner is given the opportunity to succeed.
For Filipino families relocating to Singapore, Emuna positions itself as an affordable international school option that combines globally recognized education with a community-centered approach. Its model reflects the belief that when children of diverse abilities learn together, they not only achieve academically but also develop the empathy and understanding needed to build a more inclusive society.