TTUTA: Special education a ‘bastard child’

For special education it has been carried by faith-based organisation and NGOs, but the State is yet to acknowledge its full and total responsibility with regards to special education,” he explained.

He urged Ministry of Education officials to go into some of the special education centres throughout TT to see the poor conditions in which teachers function.

Sinanan’s critical remarks were made yesterday afternoon at a news conference on the opening of the new school year, held at the ministry’s new head office on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain.

Education Minister Anthony Garcia, one of the speakers at the conference, echoed Sinanan’s sentiments and stated that special schools are not being treated the way they should be but said that is now changing.

“The Government has taken the decision that we are going to put our special schools on the front burner. Two weeks ago, Cabinet agreed to provide financial assistance to 12 special schools. Those 12 special schools have been registered with the Ministry of Education. The financial assistance will allow for the payment of salaries and other infrastructural means,” he said.