What Special Needs, really needs

#TurksandCaicos, November 27, 2021 – Special Needs Education Officer, Jas Walkin, said the Ministry of Education working together under a new vision, new directives, and a cohesive spirit is the solution to an inclusive education system for Special Needs children.

At a recently held press conference, the Ministry of Education officially launched Special Needs Awareness Month, which is being observed in November under the theme, “All Hands On Deck.”

In Walkin’s address, he highlighted the ongoing challenges regarding Special Needs Children in the education system. He said that screening, assessment, and diagnosis are not available in TCI, and there is limited access to information. He said this limits the quality of education for Special Needs children.

In an effort to acquire the required information, including finding the children with special needs and what each child’s needs are, the Department of Education initiated the Special Needs National Registration Drive.

Also, keeping with the theme “All Hands On Deck,” Walkin urged parents to take part in submitting the reports so the requisite work can be done. He said he had made plans, so what is needed is for the government to approve them. He also emphasized the need for money.

Education Minister, Hon. Rachel Taylor announced that the government had included an additional 150,000 to assist with Special Needs students’ education. Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Hon. Jamell Robinson, said he estimated that the drive will accumulate to appropriately half a million dollars per year. But Walkin said that is insufficient.

“Special needs education is very expensive… this is big money wine,” he said. He added that the most significant spending for special education will come from human resources because, without skilled professionals, we can’t help the children.

Walkin said that there will be a more consistent assessment and diagnosis if the needed professionals are hired in the TCI. He added that there will be a need for remediation and capacity building, so no child in the TCI will be left behind. Considering all that is needed to improve the education of all Special Needs children in the TCI, Walkin said there has to be an increase in expenditure of over one million dollars.

He advised, “spend the money now, invest in these people now, make them as independent as possible so that you don’t have to take care of them later.”

Time for the Special Needs student registration, which was launched on November 15 has been extended.

By Shanieka Smith,

Staff Writer