Education Ministry Committed to Supporting Special Needs Students

The Ministry of Education and Youth has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting students with special needs.

Addressing the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) General PTA Meeting on Thursday (September 7), Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, said there are approximately 2,400 students with special needs in the public education system.

“We have a department at the Ministry that focuses on children with special needs, and we do as much as we can within our budget to provide for those children,” she said.

Mrs. Williams noted that there has been an increase in the number of parents coming forward with their children.

“I think it’s because of the greater awareness that has been generated around special needs and the reduction in terms of the stigma associated with having a special needs child. We welcome that, and we’re doing all we can to ensure that our schools have all the necessary ramps and rails and they are friendly for our children as well. We want to be true to our tagline of not leaving any child behind,” Mrs. Williams said.

Thirty-two schools with special needs students were identified prior to the start of the 2023/24 academic year.

Of that number, new ramps are required for 24 institutions, while additional ramps need to be constructed at eight schools.

Most of the institutions have been visited by Ministry personnel and work will go to tender for 12 schools shortly.