400 schools now have ramps

Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams says almost 400 schools across the island now have ramps installed, as efforts are made to accommodate students with physical challenges who use wheelchairs to access classes.

“Additionally, we are beginning, for those schools with multiple levels, to put in lifts so that our students have access. We're not there yet in terms of seeing that 100 per cent of our schools have ramps, but we have a pathway to getting there and every year there's budget for installation of ramps in schools,” Williams said.

She was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday at Gordon House.

Regarding the provision of shadows, Williams informed that currently almost 350 shadows are in the system, who receive a stipend, to assist those children in classes who need the help.

“We consider this a significant benefit that we are able to provide to our students,” she said.

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“In the school system, we do have some institutions that are dedicated to children with special needs, and so of course those classrooms and bathrooms will be so fitted out for those students.”

The minister added, “Where we have students with special needs that are fully integrated or mainstreamed into other classes, of course we make provisions as well for those students if they have to use wheelchair or they have other special requirements. We have an entire unit at the Ministry of Education dedicated to dealing with and ensuring that the needs of our special needs students are attended to.”

Williams also informed that the ministry uses private persons and private institutions with speciality in this area as well.

 “The ministry will pay the full fee for those students to access private schools. So, we are ensuring that special needs students have the focus that they deserve in the education system. I will admit there is always more that can be done, but so far, I think you know there is good work that we've been doing in that area,” Williams said.