Increase budgetary allocation for special education
Published:Saturday | August 31, 2024 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Every educational year, Jamaica grapples with the reduction of teachers, but what we don’t mention is the struggles that special-needs children and their parents face.
As it stands, several parishes don’t have a special-education school, whether it be public or private. Parents must travel far and wide to give their children the best education. The Ministry of Education, though receiving a large portion of the national Budget, therefore needs additional funds to sufficiently provide the parishes that don’t have a facility to provide special education as well as teachers.
The Ministry of Education needs to be commended for its monetary support to parents, who are financially challenged in providing education to their special-needs children.
The Jamaica Social Investment Fund is also doing a great job in providing continuous support of special education. In May, the Jamaica Information Service stated that the Jamaica Social Investment Fund has invested $34 million in the educational development of special-needs children. This investment is paramount, and more is needed.
The Ministry of Education should increase their budget so that at least three special-education facilities are operational in each parish. This will allow the children to be properly educated, as well as ease the monetary strain on parents. Yearly seminars should also be conducted. This is where new research is revealed, to properly deal with children who require special education.
ULANTA THOMAS