By Monique Hepburn, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU: DESPITE THE recent crises in the island's education system, there is still hope for many children with learning disabilities. Special education assists in preparing them for possible re-entry into the mainstream education system, enabling them to take their place as functional members of society.
The Special Education Unit at the Catherine Hall Primary School in St. James is making strides in its work to help students overcome physical, mental and learning challenges. Established in 1982 as a gift from the Dutch Government, the unit is one of three special education centres in western Jamaica, the other two located in Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland and Duncans, Trelawny.
Mrs. Donna Graham, Special Education supervisor has been supporting scores of students who have passed through the unit. Mrs. Graham's involvement in the unit spans 21 years as a special education specialist. In an interview with The Gleaner she explained the role that special education plays at the institution.
LEARNING PROBLEMS
"The purpose of special education is to enable students with learning problems to learn sufficiently so that they can go into the mainstream education system," said Mrs. Graham.
Students regarded dyslexic, slow learners, or having poor motor co-ordination skills are assisted with the use of various strategies aimed at helping them to overcome their problems. While the unit has been quite successful in assisting students, Mrs. Grahams is concerned that many students do not get help at an early stage because of the stigma attached to special education.
" Sometimes we miss early intervention and get children when they are aged nine or ten," said Mrs. Graham. "There are times when parents are in denial about their children's challenges but there are times however, when parents recognise that their child needs special help and come to us for our intervention."
Present enrolment at the unit stands at 48 students who are assisted by three teachers with specialised training in special education. The unit also enjoys successes and triumphs when students leave the unit to achieve in other areas of the education system:
" We had an autistic and dyslexic student who was mainstreamed at Grade 5, he went on to be head boy at William Knibb High School and is now in his third year at School of Music," said Mrs. Graham.
The bond between teacher and student is also strong as the news team observed the relaxed and non-threatening manner in which they communicated. Mrs. Graham explained that the children felt secure in their environment and even when they were integrated back into the mainstream education system, they maintained frequent visits.
While Principal Deloris Moore had high praises for the work her school was doing in special education, she felt that special students should continue to receive assistance even at the secondary level. For three years running, Catherine Hall Primary's special education unit has entered an annual reading competition put on by the Ministry of Education and has been winning three years running.
