Dear Editor,

As September approaches many families are preparing for the excitement of a new school year. But for countless Jamaican parents of children with disabilities this time brings stress and uncertainty. Their children may be unable to attend school with adequate support unless the family can provide a “shadow”— a trained support person to accompany and assist the child in the classroom.

While the Ministry of Education has placed shadows in a handful of public schools, most families are left to source and pay for this support on their own. For many it’s simply unaffordable. And even when families are willing and able to pay, there aren’t enough qualified shadows available.

This growing dependence on privately funded shadow support raises serious concerns about fairness and access in our education system. Are we truly offering equal opportunities to all students?

A shadow — also called a shadow teacher or classroom aide — is a trained individual who works alongside students with disabilities to help them succeed in mainstream classrooms. Their job includes:

• helping with learning tasks tailored to the child’s needs

• supporting emotional and behavioural challenges

• encouraging social interaction with classmates

• promoting independence, not dependence, over time

Research shows that with the right support students with disabilities can thrive in regular classroom settings. Shadows make this possible.

When a school makes admission or classroom participation dependent on a parent providing a shadow, several problems arise:

• Children may be denied appropriate education because their families cannot afford a shadow.

• Families face extra financial stress, often without government support.

• Learning is delayed as children wait for support that may never come.

• Children are excluded, either directly or indirectly, from full participation in school life.

While some schools cite limited resources, the outcome is that children with disabilities — some of our most vulnerable students — are pushed to the margins.

To fix this, we need national action. Here’s what must happen:

• train and hire more shadows: Create certification programmes and offer fair pay to attract qualified professionals

• increase government funding: Support should be based on student need — not on a family’s ability to pay

• encourage inclusive teaching practices: Teachers should be equipped to support diverse learners, reducing over-reliance on one-on-one aides

• foster partnerships: Schools, communities, and policymakers must work together to build an education system that includes all children

Inclusive education isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a promise to give every child, regardless of ability, the chance to learn and grow alongside their peers. Right now that promise is being broken for too many Jamaican children. Shadows are not a luxury. They are essential. And without them real inclusion will remain out of reach.

Dr Kishi Anderson Leachman

Assistant professor

k.andersonleachman@uwinnipeg.ca