According to Education Minister Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), by the end of March 2020 a Special Education Committee will be in place, ‘bringing together a number of stakeholders in this vital area to provide recommendations in regard to diagnosis the formation and execution of individualised educational plans.’ Photo: VINO/File

The Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre, below, which was destroyed by the hurricanes of 2017, will be rebuilt on land occupied by the Magistrate’s Court. Photo: VINO/File

Education Minister Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) was keen on addressing steps being put in place to have children with special needs properly integrated into the education system parallel to ensuring that the reconstruction of the special needs school, which was totally destroyed by the 2017 hurricanes.

Addressing the Sunday March 8, 2020 ceremony to mark the opening of Education Week held at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay, Hon Wheatley laid out some of the steps being taken in this regard.

Special Education Committee

He said that with the power given to him by the Education Act to form special committees, by the end of March a Special Education Committee will be in place, “bringing together a number of stakeholders in this vital area to provide recommendations in regard to diagnosis the formation and execution of individualised educational plans.”

The committee will also be tasked with the responsibility of identifying resources needed to assist students in the classrooms, “Such as TAs [teaching aids] in the classrooms, provide access to various specialists and the list goes on.”

Engaging international partners

Pointing to the presence of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), Hon Wheatley said, “I am glad that the Minister of Finance and a Former Minister of Education is here because when we implement these new revenue measures…. I will be making a strong appeal for more special education officer posts and more teacher assistants. I thank you in advance great leader.”

Already the Education Minister has started to engage international partners, starting with his tour of several special needs schools in the United Kingdom.

In the UK, Dr Wheatley visited several special needs schools at the primary levels and those at the mainstream levels with services for students with mild learning disabilities.

He also alluded to the land swap between the Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre and the Magistrate’s Court at John’s hole, “This swap will place Heslyn Henley closer to the Althea Scatliffe Primary School and allow them to share resources such as the use of the playground.”