Diaspora Support Sought to Expand Special Education Services in Jamaica

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has called on Jamaicans in the Diaspora to work with the Government to broaden support services for children with special education needs.

Speaking on June 15 at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, she told a panel on ‘Building a Resilient Education System in Partnership with the Diaspora’ that stronger partnership is needed to tackle major shortages in assessment and therapeutic care.

The Minister said the Ministry is improving its ability to identify students who need specialised support, but said more expert help is required so children can get the interventions they need to realise their full potential.

Senator Morris Dixon noted that more students are now being identified with special education needs, and said this makes service expansion an urgent matter for the sector. She stressed that these children must be fully included because they can make meaningful contributions to Jamaica’s development.

“Our special education children cannot be left behind. They’re just as important as every other child and they have a lot to give to this country, but we’re not equipped,” she said.

She also pointed to steps being taken to improve diagnostics, including a new diagnostic centre expected to open in Portland this year. According to the Minister, that facility will cut travel time for families in Portland and St. Mary who need assessments for their children.

“We’re very happy about it because parents in Portland and St. Mary won’t have to travel long distances anymore. They can get their children assessed closer to home,” the Minister said.

At the same time, Senator Morris Dixon said diagnosis alone is not enough, highlighting shortages of professionals such as speech therapists and occupational therapists to provide ongoing support.

“If any of you are in a school, university where you are training speech therapists or occupational therapists or anyone working with children with special needs, we are here for you,” she said.

She added that the Government is willing to facilitate practical placements for overseas students and professionals who want to assist Jamaica’s special education system.

“If you want to do your practical [assignments] here in Jamaica and bring students here and work with our children, we’re open. We’re a very flexible ministry. We understand that we may not have all the resources here, but we’re open to getting the support for the students in different ways,” she added.