On Monday 24, June 2024, The Alpha Centre, School for Children with Disabilities, launched its 50th anniversary-celebration week of activities with a ceremony held at the St Alphonsus Parish church.
Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica and Mr Burton, Honourable Minister for Education, Mrs Octavia Alfred, Msgr William John Lewis, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Roseau, officials of the Ministry of Education, Members (past and present) of the Board of the Alpha Centre and students, staff and parents were all in attendance for the milestone celebration.
Chairperson of the Board, Mrs Melena Fontaine and the Hon Minister for Education, Mrs Octavia Alfred addressed the ceremony, both outlining the progress made in Dominica in the field of special education.
Mrs Fontaine expressed gratitude to all of the contributors who have solidified the path of the Alpha Center from its inception, however, she acknowledged the need for increased support or expansion in certain areas.
“We would like to see more done at the early childhood level with emphasis on collaboration between the health and education services. Early identification and intervention is a must in addressing issues of disabilities and we would really like special attention to be given to this area. There is also a need for providing services to children with disabilities who are homebound,” she remarked.
Mentioning Dominica’s participation in the OECS Pearl Project aimed at sensitizing the public to special education needs, Minister Alfred highlighted the plans of the administration to improve the trajectory of the system in the country.
“Our education policy embraces and [emphasizes] that no child should be deprived of an education,” stated Alfred.
Three persons were recognized as having given long service to the Alpha Centre:
Mrs Rhona Fingal (posthumously), was a founding member of the centre and served as chairperson for over 20 years. She was instrumental in overseeing the construction of the centre at its present location on McIntyre Lane in Goodwill.
Mrs Claudia Bellot was also a founding member and served as chairperson for 20 years. She supervised the extension of the centre to include a principal’s office, sewing room and computer room, funded by the Basic Needs Trust Fund.
Mrs Sarah JohnBaptist who gave dedicated service as a qualified teacher for 25 years and provided teacher training to the staff.
Other activities for the week include:
Tuesday, June 25 – Open day at Alpha Centre, with an exhibition of the work of the students
Wednesday, June 26 – Sports day for students at the Lindo Park
Thursday, June 27 – Field Trip for students and parents
Friday, June 28 – Report Card day at Alpha Centre
Saturday, June 29 – Fundraising Anniversary Dinner at the Goodwill Parish Hall
For more information contact Melena Fontaine, Chairperson, Dominica Association for the Mentally Handicapped at Tel: 613 4683.
Congratulations Alpha Centre. Well done. Many students have benefitted from your programs.