$2.8M for special needs schools

Education Minister Hazel Manning will deliver the feature address and present cheques totalling $2.8 million to six registered private schools including Eshe’s Learning Centre, National Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Immortelle Children’s Vocational Centre, Servol Special School and Goodwill Industries Ltd.

In a release, the Education Ministry said tangible support will be given to these schools through payment of fees — $1,200 per term for each student and where necessary a further $800 for students with significant socio-economic difficulties.

In addition, the Ministry will cover partial payment of teachers’ salaries, full payment of utility bills and partial payment for the upkeep of grounds and maintenance of facilities.

The Ministry said quality education is a basic right of all children regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious affiliation, abilities, economic or social status.

The Ministry said increasing emphasis is being placed on students with special educational needs.

These students are categorised as students with — sensory or multi-sensory impairments, speech, language and communication difficulties, significant learning difficulties, emotional or behavioural difficulties, students with intellectual abilities ranging from mentally challenged to gifted and talented, and students with autistic spectrum disorder.