Students with mild to moderate physical and intellectual disabilities at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School in St. Thomas now have an inclusive classroom to further support their educational journey.

‘The facility, which was handed over by the Digicel Foundation on Tuesday (September 19), stemmed from a partnership with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the school, Foundation Chair, Jean Lowrie-Chin, informed that the room will cater to children aged three to six.

“Within the classroom, you will find a state-of-the-art sensory room, which includes panel mats, sensory lights, fibre-optic bean bags, a fibre-optic curtain kit, LED strip lights and noise-cancelling earphones,” she detailed.

Additionally, Mrs. Lowrie-Chin disclosed that the existing bathroom for the students has been retrofitted, a raft has been constructed, and a “bright and fun” outdoor play area has been renovated.

“The purpose of the classroom is at the heart of everything we do at the Digicel Foundation to promote inclusiveness. It means that no one is left behind; it means togetherness, including the little ones with special needs who need to feel loved and secure in their school environment,” the Chair said.

For her part, ECC Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, applauded the Digicel Foundation for having “changed the landscape in Jamaica for special needs”.

“The Early Childhood Commission would like to thank you so much, and we encourage you to not only do more but I use this platform to ask other corporate Jamaica [stakeholders] to come on board,” she said.

Acting Regional Director (Region 2) at the Ministry of Education and Youth, Yashieka Blackwood-Grant, speaking on behalf of Acting Permanent Secretary, Maureen Dwyer, similarly hailed the Digicel Foundation for “rising to the occasion, especially when special education needs are in the conversation”.

“We commit, every time we receive a gift, to taking the best care of it because we receive it as an investment. We know that there are countless children who must benefit from this investment, and so… this investment is going to bring returns for years to come,” Mrs. Blackwood-Grant said.

This is the second inclusive classroom to be established under the ECC’s Jamaica 60 Legacy Project.

The first was established at the Bethabara Infant School in Manchester.

Source: Jamaica Information Service https://jis.gov.jm/features/digicel-foundation-and-early-childhood-commission-handover-inclusive-classroom-to-st-thomas-school/