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SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND ON DRIVE TO INCREASE ENROLMENT

Published

10 years ago

February 3, 2015

KINGSTON, Jan. 29 (JIS): BY: JUDITH A. HUNTER – The Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is on a drive to increase enrolment at the institution.

Principal, Iyeke Erharuyi, is encouraging parents with children who are visually impaired to make the effort and give them the quality education they need. “The Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is the right place they can have that (quality education). We know that parents with children who are blind would want them to be part of the regular school system, but there are some curricula that we offer that these students cannot access at a regular school,” Mr. Erharuyi tells JIS News in an interview.

He cites as examples orientation in ‘Mobility’ and ‘Braille Literacy’, which “the students cannot do without.” The Principal notes that for parents who are unwilling to bring their child to be enrolled, there is an outreach programme where representatives of the school “go from community to community looking for children with this type of disability to register them into our school.”

“All parents or guardians need is the child’s birth certificate to enroll. Our admission process is open right through the year, from January to December,” he informs.

Mr. Erharuyi believes there is nothing like giving a sound education to a child and that “a child with visual impairment is no different from the regular child.”

The school, which is situated at 57 Manning Hills Road in Kingston, has been providing quality education for some of the most vulnerable Jamaicans since 1927 and students who attend are classified as having low vision or totally blind.

Mr. Erharuyi says the institution can accommodate up to 200 students, but presently has 145 students enrolled.
“The institution is a composite school. We provide education for students at the pre-primary, primary, secondary and vocational levels,” he informs.

At present, seven students are enrolled at the pre-primary level; 51 at the primary level; 63 at the secondary and nine at the vocational level. The Assessment and Remedial Department, which facilitates students with multiple disabilities and those who are at an age well above school level, has 15 students.

One of them is 21 year-old Andrew Gentles, who gives the institution high marks for the manner in which it engages students. Mr. Gentles wants to be a journalist and credits the school for its nurturing. He describes his overall experience as good, “because the school allows us to reach our goals and I am motivated by a spirit to succeed and a keen sense of ambition.”

Mr. Gentles has so far completed level one in Office Administration and Information Technology at HEART Trust/NTA and will sit three CSEC subjects – English, Office Administration and Social Studies – this year. He notes that one of the benefits of going to the school is that the teachers have more time to spend with each student. “I am able to go to a teacher and tell him or her that I did not understand a particular subject and the teachers are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that we grasp what is being taught,” he says.

Mr. Gentles is also enjoying his status as big brother on campus. “As one of the older students I feel privileged as the younger ones see me as a big brother and would come to me and we would rap together,” he tells JIS News.
The institution has 18 teachers on staff, and the school’s curriculum is similar to that in the regular school system.

“We go up to CXC and CAPE levels and we also provide vocational training through the HEART Trust/NTA vocational programme,” Mr. Erharuyi explains.

The school also has an integrated programme where some students are integrated into the regular school system after passing the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). Mr. Erharuyi notes that students at the primary level are able to get the foundation needed to enable them to function properly at the secondary level in the regular school system.

He also cites the passing of the Disabilities Act in October 2014 as a good move. “I want to praise the effort of all the persons involved. We are going in the right direction because for so long we have been lacking in this area. The inclusiveness we have been talking about is now incorporated in this Act,” he says.

The Principal points out that with the Act, some schools can no longer use the excuse of not having the proper facilities to turn down students. He also foresees better job prospects for graduates as companies will also have to make adjustments to their facilities to accommodate the disabled.

“On our part this is going to help us to improve on our own facilities, because we cannot be only talking about other organisations without us not fixing what we have, so it is really a good move for everybody,” he adds.

This year six graduates of the school have been admitted to colleges and universities and presently the Guidance Counsellor, English Teacher and Librarian are graduates of the institution.

The Salvation Army School For The Blind is a grant aided institution and benefits from regular programmes, such as the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). The Government is responsible for the employment of the staff and provides funding for the operation of the institution annually. The school also gets support from the Salvation Army and their overseas partners and private entities like the Canadian Embassy.

Related Topics:blind Iyeke Erharuyi jamaica salvation army schoo

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TCI DELEGATION ATTENDS LAUNCH OF THE CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF PROBATION AND PAROLE (CAPP) IN BARBADOS

Published

6 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – A delegation from the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision (DRCS) traveled to Barbados to attend the launch of the Caribbean Association of Probation and Parole (CAPP). The event marked a significant step toward regional collaboration in probation and parole efforts, with participation from several Caribbean Islands. The delegation representing the Turks and Caicos Islands included: Mrs. Bridgette Newman (Permanent Secretary), Mr. Jaron Harvey (Director), and Ms. Drexanna Seymour (Probation and Parole Officer).

During the launch, a presentation on the progress of TCI’s rehabilitation and probation sectors was delivered, highlighting both existing and upcoming innovative programs aimed at reducing reoffending and promoting behavioral change among clients. Director Harvey emphasized, “We are committed to creating a system that not only holds individuals accountable but also empowers them with the tools to transform their lives.” He added, “Collaborating with regional partners through CAPP enables us to build on these efforts by sharing our achievements and learning from one another. Our emphasis on rehabilitation, skill development, and behavioral change is already showing positive results, and we are excited for what lies ahead.”

PS Newman asserted “as a region, we face similar challenges, and this organisation allows us to pool our resources and knowledge to develop solutions that work for us. I am proud of the strides we have made in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our partnership with CAPP will further enhance our efforts to reduce re-offending and empower those under our care to make meaningful changes in their lives.”

The launch of CAPP represents a milestone in strengthening collaboration and sharing best practices across the Caribbean to tackle issues related to probation, parole, and reintegration. The association aims to enhance regional cooperation, capacity-building, and policy development to address the needs of individuals within the justice system while promoting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending rates.

The delegation’s participation in this event underscores TCI’s commitment to leading by example in probation and parole services, while the collaborative efforts with CAPP promise a brighter future for rehabilitation and community supervision across the region.

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Department of Housing and Community Renewal Provides Update on Home Improvement Projects Across Turks and Caicos Islands

Published

7 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, October 6, 2024 – The Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) is pleased to update the public on the progress of its Home Improvement Programme, part of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing living conditions for residents.

The programme has been rolled out across several islands, with numerous projects underway aimed at improving housing standards. The Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Jamell R. Robinson, commented on the initiative:

“This programme represents our government’s dedication to ensuring that every resident has access to safe and comfortable housing. We are proud of the progress made so far, and we remain focused on completing these projects in a timely manner, while ensuring quality and accountability.”

Island Progress Updates:

Grand Turk:

A total of 11 projectswere approved in batch one of the programme.
6 contractshave been awarded, and work is actively progressing on 4 of these projects:
- One project is 60% complete.
- Another is 50% complete.
- One is at 30% completion.
- The fourth is 25% complete.

Providenciales:

6 projectswere approved in batch one.
3 contractshave been awarded, with the following progress:
- Two projects are 25% complete.
- The third project has reached 10% completion.

South Caicos and Salt Cay:

9 projectshave been approved for South Caicos, and 3 projectsfor Salt Cay.
In both islands, 2 contractshave been awarded, with mobilisation of works expected to begin shortly.

North Caicos and Middle Caicos:

The Department is currently awaiting bids from contractors under the Framework Agreement.
Once received, the bids will be reviewed, and contracts will be awarded as part of the government’s commitment to ensure the housing needs of these islands are met.

Programme Overview and Commitment

The Home Improvement Programme is a key part of the government’s broader efforts to address housing needs across the Turks and Caicos Islands. By targeting homes in need of repair, the initiative aims to improve the living standards of many families. With projects already underway and more set to begin shortly, the DHCR remains committed to the successful and timely completion of all works.

The Department will continue to provide updates on the progress of these critical projects as they move forward.

For further inquiries, residents can contact the Department at 649-338-2220.

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TCI School Sports Season 2024-25 kicks off with Inter-High Girls and Boys Football

Published

8 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The long-awaited Turks and Caicos School Sports (TCISS) season kicked off on Saturday, September 28th, with the expectation of an electrifying resurgence of school spirit.

The first school sport on schedule is the Inter-High School Football season for Boys and Girls. Last year’s Boys’ champions were the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School and the Marjorie Basden High School were back-to-back champions for the Girls.

The opening weekend will take place at the TCIFA stadium on Venetian Road starting at 10:00 am but all following games in the season will take place at the National Stadium.

Chosen by the coaches in a lottery draw, here are the groups each team will be playing in:

Boys Group A

British West Indies Collegiate – BWIC

Wesley Methodist High School – WMHS Maranatha Academy – MA

Clement Howell High School – CHHS

TCIPS Comprehensive High – TCIPS

Boys Group B

Raymond Gardiner High School – RGHS

HJ Robinson High School – HJRHS

Louise Garland Thomas High School – ALGTHS Marjorie Basden High School – MBHS

Elite High School – EHS

Girls Group A

Clement Howell High School – CHHS

Wesley Methodist High School – WMHS

Raymond Gardiner High School – RGHS

Louise Garland Thomas High School – ALGTHS

Girls Group B

British West Indies Collegiate – BWIC

Clement Howell High School – CHHS

HJ Robinson High School – HJRHS

Marjorie Basden High School – MBHS

On the launch of TCISS 2024-25, Hon. Rachel Taylor shares, “As Minister with responsibilities for Sports, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate all schools for making the assertive effort to ensure that their students are actively engaged in sporting initiatives in partnership with the Sports Commission. Such partnerships aid in the effective delivery of the Physical Education Curriculum. The various sporting disciplines provide an opportunity to develop the soft skills of our students in areas such as leadership, team building, and resilience, and promote physical fitness. We wish our schools all the best as we launch our school sports season.”.

How to Watch Games:

For this year’s game schedules visit the TCISS page: https://www.gov.tc/sports/our-events/tci-school-sports. Tickets will be sold at the stadium booth: Adults $5, and Children $3.

Visit this link to review last year’s season’s fixtures and standings: https://www.schoolssports.com/CompetitionMicrosite/Competitionintro.asp?TID=TCISS-Football&S=20232024.

Turks and Caicos Islands School Sports 2024-25 Schedule

TCISS Inter-High School Football Boys, TCISS Inter-High School Football Girls – September 28, 2024 – October 26, 2024 (Providenciales)
TCISS Inter-High School Basketball – November 2024 – February 2025 (All-Island)
TCISS Inter-High School Softball – November 2024 – February 2025
Track and Field Development Meets – February & March 2025
TCISS Inter-High School Track and Field – March 2025 (Providenciales)
TCISS Inter-Primary School Track and Field – April 2025 (Providenciales)