Salvation Army School pleads for gov’t assistance

The Ministry of Education and Youth has committed to assisting the Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired with administrative issues, following a list of requests shared by the principal, Iyeke Erharuyi.

Among the requests are specialist teachers, nurses and aides, $1.6 million to upgrade the electricity grid, and a vehicle to travel to similar institutions.

"Some of our parents chose schools outside of the [blind and visually impaired] community and this is giving us some challenges. We are hoping that the ministry can look into it to offer programmes at training schools to help with the transition of our children. Our children need us and we are seeking the ministry's support," Erharuyi said.

He added that the school feeding programmes needs support from the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education.

"At present there is no standardised help for those of our students," he noted. Erharuyi's suggestions were aired at the handover ceremony of 100 Braille machines to the school late last week. Education Minister Fayval Williams pledged her commitment to meeting the school's needs, urging the principal to start dialogue with the ministry's special needs unit.

"I have heard your list, and, rest assured, now that I am sensitised to all the things you need, they are on my list for attention," Williams said. "I believe that we can overcome any obstacles together."

- T.T.