As part of the Ministry of Education’s ongoing efforts to enhance inclusive education through the OECS Programme for Educational Advancement & Relevant Learning, assistive devices valued at EC $72, 021.55 were sourced to support students with special needs in several schools.
Eight students received iPads, and one student received a laptop. Other items presented included: visual sand timers; visual analogue timers; tray easels; minor recorders; argumentative and alternative communication devices; fidget chair bands; doughnut balls; and sensory seats. The Deputy Chief Education Officer for Special Education, Judy-Ann Auld, emphasised the critical needs the devices will meet.
She said, “These tools are more than just equipment. They are your key, boys and girls, to unlocking every great potential. Remember, with determination and the right support, there is no limit to what you can do and what you will be able to achieve. Your strength, your perseverance, and your endurance are your commitment to your personal development and your education, and it is also our commitment to ensure that you have all of the resources that you need to unlock your potential.”
The 14 schools benefiting from assistive tools and devices include 9 primary schools, one preschool, the Resource Centre for the Blind, and the three special education schools, located in St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Mark. These devices were handed over in a ceremony at the Ministry of Education on Sept. 27.
Coordinator for the OECS Programme for Educational Advancement & Relevant Learning (PEARL), Astra McKenzie, Ed.D., said, “It is a great pleasure to stand before you today as we gather to mark this significant occasion in the Ministry of Education’s ongoing efforts to improve the delivery of educational services for all, especially for students with special education needs. The distribution of assistive tools to our students with special education needs, or SEN, is more than a ceremonial act. It is a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to building an inclusive education system where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Through this event, we celebrate the progress made under the OECS PEARL.”
Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Human Resources and Educational Development, Elvis Morain, supported McKenzie’s articulation of the Ministry’s efforts to support students with special needs.
“Whether we like it or not, at the end of the day, we have to co-exist in a society that is inclusive,” he said. “I want to, on behalf of the Ministry, express our appreciation to Dr. McKenzie and her team and, of course, by extension, the OECS PEARL for their support, not just with the devices that you’re going to get today but also in the capacity building; leadership; and, of course, some support in infrastructure.”
As detailed on the OECS’ website, the OECS PEARL is a four-year program that seeks to advance progress towards the goals of the OECS Education Sector Strategy (OESS) through increased access and improved student learning in basic education.
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