Ministry committed to assisting children with special needs – Holness

Education Minister, Hon. Andrew Holness, has said the Ministry is committed to putting the relevant programmes and services in place that will assist students with special needs to develop and reach their full potential.

He said the Ministry is looking to put a ‘Child Find’ initiative in place as a critical part of that thrust. “The programme will help to identify students with undiagnosed and undetected special needs, who are in the general setting, to screen and assess them formally and determine their categorisation and appropriate placement,” Minister Holness said.

He was addressing on January 25 opening of the Ministry’s two-day conference on Special Education at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios

St. Ann. The conference is being held under the theme: ‘Access, Equity and Relevance: Critical Considerations for Students with Special Needs’.

“The Ministry’s hosting of this conference on special education over these two days could not be more timely as we intensify our work to transform the Jamaican Education system,” Minister Holness said.

“This directive is very strategic as the Ministry takes steps to improve overall student performance and reduce the prevalence of various anti-social and self-defeating behaviour practices,” he added.

Focusing on partnerships, he noted that the Ministry, over the years, had been working collaboratively with private sector groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public and private sector agencies and families in providing special education programmes and services.

“To this end, the Ministry of Education will continue to promote new and strengthen existing partnerships with current and potential stakeholders where possible, to optimize student learning and enhance the delivery of comprehensive special education services,” he assured.

Minister Holness congratulated the Education System Transformation Programme (ESTP) team and the Special Education Unit for organising the conference.

 “I hope that the information shared and experiences gained over the two days, will inspire parents, teachers, school administrators, NGOs and children with exceptionalities, to continue the advocacy for comprehensive services provided in an environment that respects their rights and fundamental freedom,” he stated.

CONTACT: ALDEEN CAMPBELL

JIS REGIONAL OFFICE

OCHO RIOS