CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – PARENTS attending the Organisation of American States funded workshop at the Red Cross building in Charlestown were told that it is important for them to be involved in decision-making processes that relate to their children’s lives.
Making the statement was St. Kitts-Nevis OAS Representative Starret Green, who addressed the participants at the opening ceremony of the workshop on Thursday, February 19.
The workshop is aimed at equipping parents of children with special needs to understand and articulate the unique needs of those children.
It is part of the activities being undertaken in Phase Two of a two-year project sponsored by the OAS, as part of its technical cooperation project entitled “Development of a Special Education Curriculum Project”. Phase One has already been implemented in both St. Kitts and Nevis.
Ambassador Greene listed ways parents can positively impact the lives of their children in school and at home. He said this could be done through proper nurturing, good nutrition and exercise, opening communication lines with teachers through parent/teacher meetings, monitoring children’s school activities and participating in children’s extra curriculum activities such as concerts and walk-a-thons.
Green told parents to give quality time to children when they come home from school by going through their homework.
“With your involvement, you are better able to influence decisions made. Love your children, appreciate their abilities. Allow them to make mistakes and allow them to feel a bit of pain for those mistakes, but let them know they are always loved,” he said.
He said the workshop activity fell within the OAS-sponsored Technical Cooperation Project that focuses on the creation of a Special Needs Curriculum and involves providing specialised training to those who teach special needs children in the Federation.
“The Project, also envisions an indispensable role for you the parents in the efforts of the state to provide your children with the education and training that is consistent with their needs,” Green added.
Viola Clarke, who will be the training consultant for workshops held in Nevis during Phase Two of the project, called on parents to be advocates for the rights of their children so that they could have access to special services.
“Push for the best for your children”.
She said parents of children with special needs were unsung heroes as they deal with “insurmountable barriers”.
Chief Education Officer Jennifer Hodge said parents have a crucial role to play as they are the primary care givers.
She was hopeful that training offered through the workshop would help get rid of negative societal attitudes. Hodge thanked the OAS for the continued support and said the organisation had recently made available learning materials that would enable children to transit easily from pre-schools to primary schools.
Hodge said the Special Education Unit would appreciate hardware to help teachers better equip the children. She also said that all children could learn if the necessary hardware and equipment are available, noting “we have a common goal to make our children responsible citizens.”
