St. James diagnostic centre set to double special-needs assessments

The Sam Sharpe Diagnostic and Early Intervention Centre in Granville, St. James, is preparing to grow its capacity as requests for early evaluations of at-risk pupils continue to climb. Principal Ricardo Bennett of Sam Sharpe Teachers' College said the facility will raise the number of assessments it completes each month from 30 to 60.

Jamaica has faced sustained criticism over how well it serves children with special educational needs. A rising share of those pupils remain without formal testing while they wait for assessment slots, which has slowed enrolment and left some children out of school and at home.

Sam Sharpe Teachers' College runs one of four diagnostic centres housed at teachers' colleges across the island. Bennett said pressure for early assessments has built over time, and the college provides the service at no charge.

"What we're seeing over time is that there is a demand for students to be assessed. Sam Sharpe Teachers' College offers assessment free of cost, something that we can boast right there in Western Jamaica," Bennett said.

Responding to a drive from the Ministry of Education, the college will expand the centre's team. Bennett said staffing will include two clinical psychologists and two diagnosticians.

"We will now be moving to 60 assessments per month. So, it's a critical need in Jamaica. A number of our children enter the system where some are in school undiagnosed," he said.

The Sam Sharpe Diagnostic and Early Intervention Centre has been operating since 2018.