Letter of the Day | Help exceptional students to shine

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Jamaican education system has had a tough time providing quality education for exceptional students. Most of the focus has been on kids with disabilities. Thankfully, places like The Mico Care Centre are stepping up to screen and assess gifted children.

It is important to give exceptional kids the education they deserve, and we need more specialised educators in our schools across Jamaica to help meet their needs.

1. Break the stigma: We need to change the negative attitudes around special-needs education. There are different levels of special needs, and each one needs its own kind of support. Kids with special needs can thrive when they get the right help, so we should build a culture of care and support.

2. More scholarships: Create more scholarship opportunities in special education. This would lead to better training and placement of specialists throughout the island. Right now, many schools struggle with exceptional students mixed into regular classrooms, and regular teachers often don’t have the proper training to handle this.

3. National parent support unit: Establish a national parent support unit for kids with exceptional abilities. While we often focus on conditions like autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,, we should also pay attention to those with higher IQs. Many kids who seem to have trouble fitting in are super creative geniuses. When we get parents involved, we can start breaking down stereotypes and focus on helping the child grow.

The Ministry of Education needs to put together a solid plan for how to address exceptional traits. Teachers and parents should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support exceptional children. These kids are part of our society, and with the right support, they can shine.

RICARDO SMITH

ricardo.professional.edu@

gmail.com