Retired educator says TT needs more special schools

GOVERNMENT HAS been urged to establish  special schools in all the educational districts in Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking at a function at Eshe’s Learning Centre, a special school for children with learning disabilities, former School Supervisor and Director of Educational Services Mennen Walker Briggs called on Government to establish more schools like Eshe’s. She said this was necessary to roll back the growing tide of juvenile delinquency. In an address at a thanksgiving service to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the school at the Tranquillity Methodist Church, Walker Briggs: said “The Government has the money. And there are people with special education qualifications who are not all being used now and who would  be able to staff these centres.”

Walker-Briggs, who served as a school supervisor for 23 years, recalled that whenever children who were suspended from school came before the Ministry of Education officials, “over 90 percent” of them admitted they could not read or could read “just a little bit.” Summarising what she believed to be the thinking of these students, Walker-Briggs said: “If I can’t read, I don’t want any teacher to ask me any question to embarrass me. So let me cause confusion one time in the class . . . When bachannal breaks out, nobody knows that I can’t read.” She told the large congregation, which included parents, teachers, past and present students, psychologists and other stakeholders in education: “Everyone in here knows a politician. Speak to your politician friend. Lobby them. Write to your Member of Parliament so that they can in turn speak to the Minister of Education to establish these centres.”

 Walker Briggs added: “It is time for us to get our politicians to work for their money.”   Noting that there were many children with learning disabilities, she said the 120 children at Eshe’s were blessed. “What if you cannot afford to send your child to Eshe?” she asked, before giving the answer: “Then he or she becomes a frustrated young man or a frustrated young woman.” Walker-Briggs praised Eshe’s founder and principal, Dr Esla Lynch, who “rose from post-primary to PhD,” and who has given the major part of her life to working and helping the learning disabled child. “She is a treasure.” Parent and psychologist, Marcel De Govia, whose daughter attended Eshe’s and is now doing a degree in Mass Communications, spoke about the dedication and committment at Eshe’s and its role in giving hope to many children. She appealed to parents of children with special needs to be patient and “listen to the guidance of Dr Lynch.”