Dr Tim: Govt hurting special needs schools

“Already two such schools have closed and the others are facing a similar fate.

The Private Special Schools Association has made extensive and diligent representation on behalf of the 14 institutions, but this has not yielded any positive results.” Alleging a cold-hearted abandonment of private special-needs schools, Gopeesingh said this is taking place after the People’s Partnership Administration had invested heavily in the education of these students. “The subvention was increased from $1,400 to $2,400 a school term for each student and the complement of professionals – psychologists, guidance counsellors and social welfare officers – was extended from 250 to 700.” Gopeesingh said special- needs learning was integrated into mainstream education as part of the People’s Partnership (PP) Government’s thrust toward an inclusive education system and lifelong learning. “The People’s Partnership Administration had carefully nurtured these important institutions through the building of relevant capacity. Adequate funding, provision of suitable qualified professionals and integration with the rest of the education sector were hallmarks of the PP Government’s stated commitment.” He recalled former United States secretary of state Hillary Clinton commending TT for includ- ing special-needs education within the mainstream sector, at a 2014 conference of the Inter-American Development Bank and the ALAS Foundation in Washington, DC.

“Indeed, the policies were part of an overall plan for reform of the education system and achievement of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. These are all being systemically undermined and unravelled by the bungling and incompetent Mr Garcia,” alleged Gopeesingh. “But even by Mr. Garcia’s own abject standards, the desertion of the special-needs students is atrocious and appalling.” Speaking in response to Urgent Questions in Parliament on Friday, Minister Garcia also denied media reports that there was any lack of funding for those schools.

He also denied reports that 14 special needs schools were in danger of being closed.

“These 14 special needs private schools are not in danger of imminent closure.” “There have been no cuts in Government’s funding for these schools.” The minister’s statements followed reports that the schools were in danger of closing due to a lack of funding, after a Memorandum of Understanding expired in 2015 and was not renewed.

It was also reported that no funds were provided for salaries or the paying of bills at these facilities, leaving the schools little choice but to close.

Speaking at a media briefing on the ‘Form One Initiative and the School Based Management Programme’ on Thursday last, Minister Garcia said there were ‘some challenges’: “There are some challenges that are faced by those 14 special schools, and I can assure you that everything is being put in place, so that those schools will receive the necessary funding.” “There’s the question of a Memorandum of Understanding that has to be signed between the operators of those schools and the Ministry of Education.” “Our department is working expeditiously to ensure that that Memorandum of Onderstanding is ready for signature by both parties.” “But the bottom line is that the challenges that we face will be overcome in the not too distant future.” “And I appeal to all those persons who have been providing a yeoman service to those special children, that they will receive the required funding shortly.” A petition was launched for funding to be provided to keep the schools open.