Access to education for special needs children to significantly improve

Children with special needs in Region Two will now benefit from the Exceptional Learners Centre, which was commissioned in Cotton Field on Wednesday.

This is the first facility of its kind in the region and will cater to approximately 30 children with special education needs.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Dr Irfaan Ali said that every child deserves the chance to realise their full potential, regardless of their learning differences, while noting that such centres are “centres of hope.”

“Today, these beautiful children will have greater opportunities. They will have easier access… in an environment that supports learning and supports their development, and that is so key,” the President noted.

Additionally, President Ali stated that, very soon, children with special needs in all ten administrative regions will be able to access special buses to transport them to special education needs facilities.

He noted that the government has set aside resources in the budget and will ensure that Region Two receives its bus before the end of the month.

Complimenting special needs teachers, the President said the government is on a mission to ensure that all teachers are trained and have the opportunity to become trained graduates free of cost.

“But special needs teachers require special people, and the intake for special needs is not as wide as for other teachers, because they have to not only be a teacher but also be the symbol and a manifestation of patience, love, and all that supports these children—and they are exceptional at that.

But more importantly, because of the value we place on human capital and our investment in it, we have offered special needs teachers in Guyana specialised training, advanced training, and advanced education through our GOAL scholarship programme. This allows them to pursue not only degrees, postgraduate degrees, and diplomas but also master’s degrees in special needs education,” President Ali said, adding that a high percentage of these teachers are trained graduates.

He further referenced the recently established special needs swimming programme at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), which will enhance therapy and rehabilitation, and noted that the government is seeking to expand this initiative.

The President stated that as the economy continues to grow, the lives of teachers will improve, adding that the government values special needs teachers and will continue to support them.

As such, he said the government is investing in resources that will revolutionise the education sector and will soon launch the Guyana Digital School, which will feature specialised programmes for every segment of the student population.

This school, President Ali noted, will use the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology to simulate and assess individual students’ capabilities, as well as to design specific exercises and work programmes.

Meanwhile, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Daniel Best, in his remarks, said the new centre is more than just a building but a sanctuary of hope, acceptance, and opportunity. He described it as a representation of the collective dedication to nurturing the potential of every child and empowering them to achieve their best.

He noted that such projects are at the heart of development, aligning with the CDB’s mandate of transforming lives through inclusive, resilient, and sustainable progress.

“These types of interventions, and others in communities like Cotton Field, help to ensure that the country is moving forward together,” Best noted.

Previously, the nearest specialised facility was the Special Education Needs Diagnostic Centre on the East Coast of Demerara.

As such, the construction of this new facility was identified as a priority area.