Evan Gumbs and others
A new facility for challenged children, called the D.O.V.E. Centre – the acronym for Developing Our Vision for Education – has been officially opened at the Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School at West End.
The beautifully-arranged and furnished Centre, an immediate attraction to children, was declared open by the Permanent Secretary, Education, Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett, on March 14. Speaking earlier at the opening ceremony, on behalf of the Minister of Social Development, Edison Baird, she described the Centre as another milestone for the Ministry and Department of Education and, by extension, for the Government of Anguilla. She stressed that it signified “a continued commitment to ensuring that every child has access to education.”
Mrs. Petty Barrett continued: “This Centre is one of several – each with a different focus – catering for children who are differently able. The establishment of D.O.V. E. Centre has been in the making for some time. There has been a lot of planning, many meetings and discussions – revisiting the concept, examining resource constraints – and eventually we had to bite the bullet. There had to be a reallocation of resources to ensure that this could be a reality…There are still several items that are needed. Nevertheless, we are delighted to be at this point where we can have a formal opening.
“At the risk of infringing on the Vote of Thanks, I must take the opportunity to thank several persons who have been instrumental in making this a reality: firstly, the staff at the Ministry and Department of Education who have to be commended for seeing this through from conception to today. Special mention has to be made of Mrs. Jackie Connor, Education Officer, Multi-professional Support Services, for the leading role that she has played in this process – her persistence and diligence in ensuring that this was not placed on the back burner.
“Special thanks is also extended to Teacher Violet Martin, the lead teacher at the Centre whose passion for working with this group of children is so evident and who worked alongside Jackie to make the Centre operational. Teacher Violet, who was recently trained in Special Education, was deployed at Blossom Centre for about a year where she worked with the staff in preparation of D.O.V.E. We are extremely grateful to the Arijah Children Foundation, which owns and operates the Blossom Centre, for the technical expertise and support given to assist in establishing the D.O.V.E. Centre and for welcoming the attachment of Violet at their Centre. The Ministry remain committed to continuing our collaboration with the Arijah Foundation as we strive to meet the diverse needs of the student population.
“It would be remiss of me not to thank the principal, staff and students of the Alwyn A. Richardson School for embracing the establishment of the Centre at your premises, and the support that has been given to the new staff and new students to ensure that they are an integral part of this school family. Thank you so much for opening your arms and your hearts to them.
“The Ministry of Infrastructure must also be commended for their input in the project and I must single out Mr. Darren Eldon Webster who, in his usual calm manner, ensured that all the work to properly outfit the Centre was done in a timely manner and to the satisfaction of the persons involved.
“I thank the parents of the children who are currently at the Centre for trusting us to take good care of your children…I am sure you will agree that your fears have been allayed because you recognise that the staff members here at D.O.V.E. are committed, are professional, caring and loving, and you can see the results of their efforts in the progress of your children. I encourage the entire community to embrace this Centre as the newest facet of educational provision here in Anguilla. We will continue to need your support in order to ensure the sustainability of this Centre. While the children it caters to may not be many, their needs are great. Your partnership is therefore critical to guaranteeing that this Centre does not become a sacrifice on the budgetary chopping block and I am happy that the Minsters are here. Though small in number, these are Anguilla’s children and they have a right to educational opportunities. We have a corresponding duty to provide those opportunities – so though times may be difficult let us not abdicate our duty.”
Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Rhonda Connor, said the Education Department was proud of the D.O.V.E. Centre. She joined the Permanent Secretary in acknowledging the hard work of Mrs. Jackie Jeffrey-Connor (who chaired the opening ceremony) and Mrs. Violet Martin. “They were determined that despite all odds, despite limited funds available, we must have this provision,” she stated. “Our Ministry, of course, provided the funding, but the drive and the planning were done by Mrs. Jeffrey-Connor, very ably assisted by Teacher Violet, and I think we need to applaud them for that. I must also thank the parents for their confidence in the programme. I am sure you are already convinced that your children are in very capable hands here at D.O.V.E. for the teachers take their responsibilities very seriously – and their warmth, love and general care for the welfare of your children are always evident.
“D.O.V.E requires special programmes and resources. We at the Department of Education pledge our continued support for the Centre. With our limited resources we will continue to do our part to ensure that the programme continues to be a success. We all know that education is expensive. In education, we do not generate funds. We spend the money and we know that Government alone cannot adequately provide all of the needs in terms of resources for all of our schools.”
In saying that, Mrs. Connor drew attention to a wish list on the back of the event’s programme brochure. The needed items include a food processor, electrical kettle, playing and exercise equipment, sofas, a portable paediatric wheel chair, a small trampoline, sensory toys and books and musical instruments.
The Chief Education Officer called on all persons to assist education officials “as we work together to fulfil our mandate to promote equity and universal access to education for children.”
Speaking about the D.O.V.E. Centre, Mrs. Violet Martin said: “Teachers try to create a positive learning environment where children feel valued, safe and supported. Further, in this supportive environment, children have opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills to make them more independent and equipped for life.”
She also spoke about engaging the children in various daily living self-help skills; educational skills through the use of the computer and images; sign language communication for non-verbal children; exploration of the school’s environment to socialise with other children not at the Centre.
Mrs. Martin was happy that the challenged children at the Centre were well accepted by the other students at the school; and that, from the feedback she received, the parents of those children were pleased that the programme catered to their individual needs.
The opening ceremony included songs and other performances by children from the Blossom Centre, Special Needs Children from the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School and the Orealia Kelly Primary School, and thanks from the D.O.V.E. students expressed on placards which they held aloft.
