JIS: The Government is working towards the development of a Special Education Policy in order to better fulfil the academic requirements of students with special needs.

 

This was noted by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, in a speech delivered by Director, Industrial Relations and Allied Services at the Ministry, Gillian Corrodus, at the Regional Disability Studies Conference at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters on March 12.

 

She said it is the objective of the Government to ensure that the educational system has accessible centres of learning for the development of all children, regardless of their circumstance.

 

“We believe that if we get the education right, identify the children with disabilities and put the provisions in place to deal with their needs, socially and otherwise, then the issue of inclusiveness will be less challenging,” she noted.

 

The Minister added that the Government is committed to the creation of a framework that is conducive to the advancement of persons with disabilities from an early age into adulthood.

 

“[Responding to] persons with disabilities cannot and should not be pigeon-holed… or put off for the future… so while we seek to grow our economy, simultaneously we must seek to grow those individuals who depend on society to give them even a much-needed start,” she said.

 

The biennial conference was organised by the UWI’s Centre for Disability Studies under the theme: ‘Advancing the Disability through Culture and Sports in the Caribbean’.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson.