Jamaica’s JTA President Advocates for a Special Education Act
Kingston, Jamaica — In a call to enhance the educational landscape, Dr. Mark Smith, President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), emphasized the urgent need for a Special Education Act. Speaking at the 8th Biennial Education Conference hosted by the Mico University College’s Child Assessment and Research in Education (CARE) Centre on October 18 at the AC Marriott Hotel, Dr. Smith highlighted the necessity of legislation focused solely on special education to ensure that students with diverse needs receive adequate support.
While acknowledging the existing Disabilities Act, Dr. Smith argued that a dedicated Special Education Act would provide essential frameworks, ensuring proper funding and targeted interventions. "In other jurisdictions, immense support is placed on this, particularly the funding support," he noted, stressing the importance of specialized training and resources for meeting the needs of students with various learning abilities.
The conference theme, "Bridging the Gap: Understanding and Supporting the Whole Child," underscored the importance of an inclusive educational environment. Dr. Sharon Anderson-Morgan, Director of the Mico CARE Centre, reiterated this sentiment by emphasizing that building stakeholders’ capacities, including teachers, is crucial to delivering best-practice interventions for students with learning gaps.
The Mico CARE Centre, known for its diagnostic and therapeutic services, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting children across Jamaica and the region. Its commitment to special needs education underscores the broader mission to provide specialized support not only to students but also to educators and caregivers involved in the sector.
With this push for legislative change, Jamaica’s educational leaders aim to create a more supportive and inclusive environment that addresses the unique challenges faced by students, ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all.
