PRINCIPALS of two Corporate Area-based special education institutions — Marie Atkins Early Childhood and Maranatha Early Childhood Basic schools — are appealing for assistance to expand their campuses as they move to better accommodate an increasing number of students with special needs.

When the Jamaica Observer visited the institutions on Friday, the school heads insisted that the upgrades are an urgent necessity that will allow for better physical and educational support of the needs of all students as the institutions strive to ensure an inclusive and more accessible learning environment.

Principal of Marie Atkins Early Childhood School Ann Marie Chaplin argued that its situation is unique.

She said compounded with the growing number of pupils with special needs, the school’s aged roof was further damaged by Hurricane Melissa, which brought rain and wind to the Corporate Area last October.

According to Chaplin, although the school is located in the Corporate Area, the Category 5 storm worsened the condition of the roof.

Maranatha Early Childhood Basic School Principal Arlene Bernard speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Friday. (Joseph Wellington)

“Most persons are focusing on the country’s [western] areas and are saying that the [Corporate Area] didn’t have a lot of damage. But you can see our school here in the community of Waterhouse [in St Andrew], we have had a lot of damage with the ceiling that needs to be fixed, as well we want to do some expansion so we’ll be able to accommodate special needs children,” said Chaplin.

The principal, who began her tenure at the institution a mere two months ago, told the Observer that upon assuming her role, she immediately began seeking help to improve the learning environment of the students.

Chaplin said that while she was not looking to separate children with special needs from established classrooms it is important for the school to have a space where they can recuperate if they are overwhelmed or become disruptive to other students.

“Sometimes they tend to throw a little tantrum and you have to be able to know how to actually deal with that child and accommodate that child, and still give that child love and affection. You have to remember that in this time there is a growing number of special needs students and we want to be able to help them and accommodate them.

“I don’t think that any child should be should be left behind. All children can learn. It doesn’t matter the needs, all children learn different because there’s different type of learners. So we are willing and we are able to work with them,” said Chaplin.

She pointed out that the school has hired educators trained to deliver to children with special needs and underscored that the institution needs help to retrofit a space on campus to accommodate students, as well as to fix the building’s roof.

Principal of Marie Atkins Early Childhood School Ann Marie Chaplin explaining the damage that Hurricane Melissa did to the roof of the institution last October. (Joseph Wellington)

“I am pleading to the public, or whoever can give me some assistance with the expansion, so that we will be able to accommodate the special needs children, because, as I said before, we have more of these children now. So we really have to make some space to accommodate them, as well as our roofing at this time also needs some fixing as well. So again, I am pleading to anybody out there who is willing to assist; I will be so appreciative of your offer,” said Chaplin.

At Maranatha Basic School Principal Arlene Bernard explained that the planned expansion of the campus is now at a halt because the initial funding has been depleted.

“It is very difficult because I’ve got some help since Labour Day from the MP [Member of Parliament] Mr Anthony Hylton, and also the Councillor Mr Byron Clark. But I’m not at all there now because I need windows. I need a part of the ceiling to be sealed off because I don’t want in there to be hot. I’m also in need of AC (air conditioning) because I want it to be fully prepared for them so they are comfortable in every way so that learning can take place.

“If they aren’t comfortable, you can’t get them to settle down for them to get any learning, or teaching done. So I’m at a halt right now,” said Bernard.

She said her interest in children with special needs began with her son, who was diagnosed at a young age.

The entrance to Maranatha Basic School on Henley Road in the Corporate Area (Joseph Wellington)

According to Bernard, when she was appointed principal of the school in 2017 she opened her doors to all students.

Bernard told the Observer that there is now an increasingly louder call from parents who want their children with special needs to be enrolled in the school, but there is a lack of space to ensure an inclusive and constructive learning environment.

Bernard issued a plea for the public to help in whatever way possible to provide the additional funds necessary to complete expansions.

“I have 10 children with special needs right now. The reason for wanting to separate them is because at times they have their time where they throw their  tantrums. And then in the classroom with the other children it’s kind of a distraction for them. So what I’m trying to do is to create a space for them.

“So when it’s that time for tantrum, they will be removed from the regular class setting into the room that is stimulated so they can feel free there if they want to scream, do all that they want to do until they calm down,” said Bernard.