KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) is again reminding school leaders and stakeholders that every child has a right to education and must not be denied access to public schools.

In a bulletin, the ministry reiterated that exclusion of children from school constitutes a violation of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, specifically Articles 28 and 29, as well as the Child Care and Protection Act of Jamaica, thereby infringing upon a fundamental right to education.

The ministry said it has noted with concern reports that some children are being kept from educational activities under the pretext of pending psycho-educational assessments.

Administrators are being cautioned that such practices expose children to social, emotional and environmental risks, while also widening learning gaps and contributing to behavioural challenges.

According to the bulletin, school leaders, as agents of the State, are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that no child is excluded from teaching and learning, particularly while awaiting diagnostic assessment services.

The ministry says its mandate is to prioritise enrolment and attendance, and as such, all students must be in school.

Parents who visit schools with available capacity must be assisted, and principals who feel challenged in providing the necessary support are urged to contact their education officer or regional director for guidance.

The ministry insists that no parent should leave a public school feeling uncared for, unserved or hopeless.

It was stated that once the ministry is made aware of an out-of-school situation, it will be classified as an emergency case, triggering immediate measures to facilitate swift placement. These measures include engaging schools to enable placement and providing sensitisation and support to principals and staff to effectively accommodate the student.

The ministry also provides support for assessments, school placement and the assistance of a Special Education Needs Assistant (SENA), also referred to as a shadow or caregiver, without requiring an assessment report.

—   JIS