OUR Lady of the Angels Preparatory School in St Andrew is looking to establish a special education programme that caters to the needs of students with learning disabilities.

The move, according to principal Marcia Meredith, has been prompted by an increase in queries and applications from the parents of such students in recent times.

“We have been getting applications, but we are unable to accept the students because we do not have a facility for that in place,” she told Career & Education.

Now, as the school celebrates its 50th anniversary, Meredith said the establishment of a programme to help these students has been added on their list of things to achieve.

“We want to cover all the educational needs of children, including those with mild learning disabilities, such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) and autism spectrum disorder. We have been getting applications and approached by parents, but we are unable to accept them and we don’t want to turn anyone away,” she said.

However, Meredith is the first to admit that making the new programme a reality will be a challenge. Still, it is one that administrators are willing to face, she said.

“There is no problem with regards to land space; we have land space… It’s financing the project that will be the problem,” said Meredith, who noted that the hope is to have the programme up and running by 2013.

The precise details of the programme have not yet been worked out, but the principal said the expectation is that it will cost between $10 million and $15 million.

“We would like members of the alumni and those of the private sector to come on board (to help). We would like the Ministry of Education to also assist, although we are a private institution,” she said.

Meanwhile, Meredith said the school’s anniversary to-do list also includes the upgrade of their computer laboratory. Currently, only 12 of their computers are functional, while the lab has to support the needs of 290 students and 21 teachers.

“We need a hi-tech room with more advanced computers and projectors,” she said.

There are also plans afoot to introduce a Career Day, revitalise the student monitor and students’ council bodies and restore the playground with replanted grass. The school wants, too, to:

* improve their drainage system;

* expand the general student body to 350 students;

* implement an Employee of the Month reward system; and

* introduce a Birthday Recognition Programme.

Our Lady of the Angels also wants to change the furniture of the kindergarten department to, within the next two years, make the school’s infrastructure fully compliant with the requirements of the Early Childhood Commission — in-line with the National Strategic Plan for Early Childhood Development in Jamaica.

Among other things, the plan’s objectives include realising safe, learner-centred, well-maintained early childhood institutions through inspection to ensure administrators maintain high standards.

The plan, which is being driven by the Early Childhood Commission, also intends to realise this goal through ensuring that development officers help to meet the required standard for such institutions.

On November 16, 1958 — one day short of the arrival of the Franciscan Fathers in Jamaica — Our Lady of the Angels Church, a former stable at 75a Molynes Road, began. A new church was built in 1960 and the stable, which remained at the back of the church, was used to start Our Lady of the Angels Preparatory a year later.

With the commitment of fathers Paul Walsh, Clement Healy and the Francisan Sisters of Allegany, the school — headed then by Phyllis Beckno — opened its doors to an initial 30 students.

In 1961, the Fathers bought 78 Molynes Road, where the school is presently located. The cottage there was converted into more rooms to accommodate the kindergarten department and canteen.

Over the years, the school has produced many Government scholars. More than 90 per cent of their students are rewarded a place in high school each year having sat the Grade Six Achievement Test, while they have consistently delivered on 100 per cent mastery in the in the Grade Four Literacy Test, Meredith said.

The institution’s 50th anniversary celebrations kicked off on November 5, with a reflective anniversary mass held at the church. More events are planned as part of celebrations for the year, including a banquet to be held next March and the graduation ceremony scheduled for June will culminate the activities.