School for children with special needs slated for Region 5

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 19, 2018

The establishment of a school for children with disabilities in Region Five, Mahaica-Berbice is under active consideration, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings recently said.

There is a similar such school for special needs children in Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne.

Minister Cummings said that a school for Special Needs children in Region Five would ensure that such children are not left behind in national efforts to improve educational opportunities for all.

Director of the Disability and Rehabilitation Services Department of the MOPH, Ariane Mangar said that her department was aware of the need and will be actively pursuing the possibilities over the coming months.

The Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) announced in June that eight persons had graduated from a three-month training program which equipped them with the skills to work at its Centre to Stimulate the Development of Children, Adolescents and Youth with Special Education Needs Associated with Disabilities.

That program had been held in its Turkeyen East Coast Demerara Compound.

This first batch of trainees includes Keenan Benjamin, Mycinth Robertson, Calvin Lawirie, Yolanda Williams, June Herod, Kalina Phillips, Michelle Nicholas and Kelly Coonjah.

It was disclosed that the CPCE’s Center to Stimulate the Development of Children, Adolescents and Youth with Special Education Needs Associated with Disabilities will be formally opened at its Turkeyen Compound at the start of the new school year in September 2018.

Minister Cummings stressed that in the period prior to the establishment of the Special Needs school in Region Five, teachers in the Mahaica-Berbice area who are desirous of helping children can participate in the special needs training program for teachers being held by the Cyril Potter College of Education.

By: Clifford Stanley