LLANDILO, Westmoreland — As the nation observed Children’s Day last Friday, senior director in the education ministry’s Children’s Affairs and Policy Division, Hyacinth Blair, called for greater attention to the needs of those youngsters who need just a bit more attention.

“Children with special needs are more vulnerable. They are victims of violence — likely even more so than children who do not have these needs — and therefore we have to be more mindful of including them when we build, including them when we develop policies and programmes. When we’re putting out information we have to remember to include them and to facilitate them getting the information as best as possible,” she said.

Blair was speaking with journalists on the sidelines of an event the ministry hosted in collaboration with the Special Education Unit. Dubbed Child Conversation – Special Edition, it was held at Llandilo School of Special Education in Westmoreland.

“I know the Ministry of Education does provide support but it really takes a concerted effort of not just government entities, but everybody — private sector, the community, the parents and neighbours,” added Blair.

She gave a synopsis of her message during the event.

“My message was to tell them, ‘Yes, you are special.’ [I spoke about] child abuse, what it is and what is wrong with it, and the fact that we as adults have a responsibility to protect them and to ensure that they have a safe space in which to grow and to thrive,” stated Blair.

This is the third year Child Conversation – Special Edition is being staged. It began in Kingston and the second edition was at the special education school in Manchester last year.

This year’s day of activities was celebrated under the theme ‘Act Now! Stand Against Child Abuse and Exploitation’.

“We really want to sensitise the children, to educate them, to let them know that they are not just special, but to let them understand what child abuse is and how it is that they can reach out to persons if they are being victims of abuse,” explained Blair.

Throughout the day there were workshops that provided the children with a platform to express themselves. Other avenues for expression included arts and craft as well as singing. Participants were provided with meals and there was an area to play. A clown was also on hand.

Meanwhile, principal of Llandilo School of Special Education, Roy Reid, told the Jamaica Observer that while children are being made aware of the various types of abuses, there is also a growing effort to spread increased awareness about adults who are likely to be abusive. While he did not provide numbers he said the institution has seen a decline in cases of children being abused.

“So in terms of the incidents, I can tell you it is on the decline as awareness goes up,” declared Reid.

He pointed to the importance of children with special needs getting an education and skills, and explained the approach taken by the institution he leads.

According to Reid, for children who are absent from school for three days in a row, the school’s guidance department will do a home visit or contact the home.

“We’ll also have home visits by the guidance counsellor to ensure that the children are treated equitably with other siblings in the family because, as you know, sometimes the child with a disability might not be able to complain and so they would not be given equitable treatment within their families. So, visits will be done, and even the place where the child is sleeping — the bed and so forth — will be checked,” stated Reid.

He also spoke about the measures in place at the school.

“We have no physical abuse, no physical abuse can happen so, therefore, that is down to zero,” the principal assured.

“There are times when some children will become violent; we’ll have to restrain them and protect others from being harmed by them if that’s the case,” Reid added.

The school, which caters to children with special needs, currently has three branches in western Jamaica. There is one in Hanover and another in St James.

The Westmoreland facility currently has 132 students on roll while there are 39 in Hanover and 76 in St James. Children enter the institution from as early as age six and graduate at a maximum age of 22.