Ministry to assist special needs schools

MINISTER of Education Anthony Garcia yesterday said that government will be placing more emphasis on the availability of quality education to children of all capabilities and pledged further support to schools that facilitate mentally and physically disabled children.

Speaking with reporters during a tour of the Goodwill Industries compound at Fitzblackman Drive, St Clair, Garcia said he was pleased with the quality of work being done at the facility and commended Principal Barbara Olumide-Alleyne for her organisation and resourcefulness in helping special needs children realise their full potential.

Goodwill Industries is a non-profit organisation which aims to develop certain skills among children with learning disabilities for job preparation in vocational field such as tailoring, welding and food preparation.

Garcia said based on his first-hand view of the compound, he was certain the ministry would be able to provide some assistance to the industry.

“There are many areas where the ministry can assist and I want to discuss that with the minister before I make a public pronouncement. We have been very much impressed with what is going on with the limited resources that were available to the school, they have been doing a tremendous job.

“Funding is always a prime requisite, we need to support the staff, the student and principal and these are some of the areas we want to touch on.”

For her part principal Olumide-Alleyne said she appreciated the support of the ministry and called on the minister to look into increasing the grant allocated to

“Unfortunately the grant that you will give to a welder or a woodworker cannot be treated with such discourtesy by offering them salaries they can do one house in or one gate in a day. At the end of the day they can make up to $20,000. I am not asking you to give that but I am asking you to think of giving them something a little better so we can retain staff when they come to work.”