One hundred and thirty special needs learners across the island who lack access to technological/assistive devices, to effectively participate in online learning are to receive those devices through the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations.

The Department has procured the learning devices, which will be distributed to special needs students across the island to assist in education efforts as they transition to an online learning platform.

This procurement was facilitated through the Education Quality Improvement Project (EQuIP) and was co-funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

“Earlier this year the CDB saw it fitting that the various ministries of education of borrowing member countries should be able to utilize funds already approved by the CDB itself to enable these countries to meet what are called eligible expenditure for interventions which have to be implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Coordinator of the EQuIP project, Ms. Marie-Grace Auguste explained. “This is why the Project Coordinating Unit was directed by the administration of the Department of Education to provide within this year some level of educational support for special education to transition to the online modality.”

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Fiona Philip Mayer, thanked the contributors for the donation.

“This is an opportunity to say thank you to EQuIP, and to the Caribbean Development Bank,” she said. “We know that individuals make the difference so somebody went out to get the necessary resources. There is a special responsibility that we must always take very seriously as leaders in the sector. Let the resources add value to the lives of our children. It is an educational resource that can help a child surmount his or her particular difficulties.”

The Project Coordinating Unit as directed by the Department of Education will continue the procurement of assistive learning devices for the Special Education Sector into next year.