On 31st of May 2020 the Achievement Learning Centre (ALC) will no longer have a home to cater to children with special needs in Dominica.
After 9 years of operation the owners of the centre located on 3 Elliot Avenue Pottersville were given notice to vacate the building for non-payment of rent.
Director of the ALC, Beverly Leblanc said during an interview that most of the parents of children who attend the centre have stumbled upon financial difficulties.
“Unfortunately for us we ran into very serious financial difficulties. Most of our parents are unable to pay the school fee and so we were getting some assistance from after Hurricane Maria in terms of tuition assistance for the students, which actually helped us to pay our rent and to subsidize some of our teachers, because most of our staff is subsidize by the National Employment Programme,” she said. “We still owe the rent we have to pay and we also need to raise funds, at least we can have a place after the Pandemic.”
She continued, “ As of 2nd term January 2020 this funding has not been forthcoming and hence, we were unable to service our rent…Covid-19 didn’t make it easier for us and so it has plummeted us in a much deeper hole and in so we were asked to give up the place by the 31st of May 2020.”
Leblanc added, “So while we have a name, we do not have a home.”
According to her the centre continues to provide online education to children through google classroom, “however when this Pandemic is over we do not have a physical place that we can call home because we have to leave…”
Leblanc indicated that children with special education needs have been marginalized not just in Dominica, but it is a global phenomenon and most times governments around the world do not invest in children with special needs because they think of the return on investment.
She said the school has had many challenges along the way but despite these challenges it has had successes.
“Out of the 5 boys who have graduated from the ALC two [are] currently employed, one at Jolly’s Pharmacy and the other works in landscaping, two others are presently at the Dominica State College (DSC) completing the CSEC Program,” she revealed. “We have seen the children grow, we have had children who came in with no speech at all and now are having basic conversations/communication.”
Leblanc thanked all the partners who have supported the centre over the years in helping to ensure that the physical learning environment is enhanced to make it conducive for the children.
ALC is a school for children with disabilities, teaching them not only to function in the real world but teaching them the Dominica standard curriculum as well.
Its mission is to provide high quality education and training, while creating a nurturing and supportive community of learners in a stimulating learning environment.
Their aim is to expose all learners to the necessary training, skills and education programs that will allow them to make a meaningful contribution to society.
The ALC officially opened its doors in March 2011 with 2 boys. The goal was to fill the gap that existed in the mainstream classroom.
Presently the school has 22 students between the ages of 6 to 15 years.
The Achievement Learning Centre can be contacted via their Facebook page or email address: [email protected]
At a time like this we need anyone who can to step up. It does not have to be government, anyone who can help in anyway should help. We are talking about those in our society who need our support at times, and they need our support even more so at a time like this. Please!
Wow
Does this mean that the NEP workers were facilitated from government?
Government could have stepped in…..I’m sure the ministry of education is aware of the situation….. some form of assistance… contribution towards rent at least. It’s news to me that some of the teachers were subsidized from NEP….. anyway the school needs assistance now….. let’s think of the children’s future.
Dem Chinese don’t find any issue with rental. Can a special fund be set up for vulnerable, essential activities like early childhood education.
This doesn’t sound good….. where are our local charities…..Dem local CBI agents could attempt something to save their souls but….I have no faith in Dem grabbers.
When these situations arise it tells a picture of our soul as nation
Oh no, that’s so sad! And they’ve had such a wonderful location, too. I wish something could be done.
Zandoli, good question! The differently abed children are more of a burden to the State than an asset. At least, that’s how Skerrit and his mongoose gang of infidels think. They look down on these most needy children with total disdain. I was taught never to look down on any one unless you are pulling him/her up from the ground. Apparently to the PM and his worshippers, these children’s lives don’t matter. They are easily expendable.
But as if the school was recognized by the Ministry of Education some time ago for the positive role it plays in the needs of the children.
Admin perhaps the Minister of Education needs to be contacted on this
Well at least post what you owe maybe there might be person’s out there willing to help
Dominicans have cultivated an attitude that once something does not directly affect them to hell with it, it’s none of my business. There should be a public great outcry for the lack of proper institutions for most vulnerable brothers, sisters and children among us. Only an uncaring and a failed state will lack these facilities for these people: the mentally unsound, homeless, the differently abed children, substance abusers, etcetera. Examine Skerrit and his cabal assets before and after their Cabinet appointments. That will certainly give you a clear indication where their priority lie. Self-enrichment is their main agenda. Everything else is secondary.
As the brother of a sister was disabled I know how uncaring society can be. In the old days peoplebwho were developmentally disabled were called “MooMoo”. How can our government and people in the 21st society not find a way to aid such a noble effort? Surely, with all the apartments being given to party supporters this government can build a place for the school to teach this disabled. Further, the school should launch a fund raising campaign. Such projects should also garner the support of ordinary citizens. I for one would contribute.
“Surely, with all the apartments being given to party supporters this government can build a place for the school to teach this disabled.”
The man said, “remember, if we put you in a house, you have to keep us in the house”
What can the disabled do for the man and his party?
This is sad news. Over the years the school has given valuable help to children that need a different approach to learning: in particular, dyslexic and autistic students.
As a society we tend to neglect or further marginalized the least among us. It’s a sad state of affairs here. I’m deeply saddened not only for these special needs children but also for the teachers and employees that will join the ever growing unemployment line. The Special Needs Children; the Homeless; the Alcohol & Drug Addicts; the Victims of Domestic Abuse are all abandoned and left to fend for themselves by this uncaring government.
So why isn’t the government stepping in to help that school?
So did you not see that they said its because the parents were not paying the school fees? Just so you know rent in Dominica is very expensive. Especially commercial rent, its like you are basically running your business to pay the landlord. So what exactly are you talking about? So everything has to be government then?
But Kermit, isn’t the government the one that promote the Yes We Care programme. I suspect these children don’t vote though.
Interesting that you mention parents cant pay rent. Which government have people so lazy or hungry that they cant pay rent? Tell the PM pay up!! All shall eat.