THE David Rose Special School which was opened on May 8th, 1968, celebrated 50 years of existence with an anniversary ceremony held at the school at Thomas Lands on Tuesday.
Delivering the feature address at the ceremony, Chief Education Officer Mr Marcel Hutson said that the school’s ability to accomplish 50 years is a testimony to resilience and character. He said that children with special needs are often neglected by society and would receive negative feedback. He added that those attitudes towards special needs children over time have gone through a transformation period in Guyana.

Further, he said that the Ministry of Education (MoE) is looking to establish an Autism School to be built in the compound of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) at Turkeyen. The CEO said that Special Education Needs in Guyana will soon be strengthened when the Diagnostic Centre within the said CPCE compound becomes fully operational. That centre became a reality through collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Education, CARICOM and the Cuban Government.

He said that the MoE has recognised that persons with special needs can be assisted to become functional and to fulfil their potential. He urged teachers of the school to continue being persons with empathy, since it is a needed quality so that they can effectively cater to the needs of the students.

Meanwhile, Head Teacher of the school, Ms Dionne McKenzie in her presentation, spoke of the school’s wish list. She said that by 2025, the deaf children of the school must be able to write all national examinations and that there should be adequate diagnoses of children by 2020. She added that the school would like to have a dietician and a nurse by January 2019.

Also delivering remarks was Fashion Designer Sonia Noel, who said that it is important to be accommodating and appreciative of persons with special needs. She urged that much attention be given to the area of special education needs to see what more can be done for the children, while simultaneously allowing the David Rose Special School to be a model to other institutions.

During the event, both students and teachers performed a number of cultural items and some teachers were also honoured. Among those recognised were past head teachers of the school, past students, organisations that contribute to the school and some of the long-serving staff. Private sector entities that were recognised include Scotia Bank Guyana Limited, the Sai Baba Organisation, Global Technology, N&S Mattai and Company, New Building Society, Republic Bank Guyana Limited and PNP Insurance.

Other partners that support the school and were recognised for their efforts were President’s College, Samaritans’ Purse, the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, United Women’s Organisation and Sabine McIntosh. After the ceremony, attendees were guided to an exhibition prepared by the students and teachers which featured items from the various classes such as craft, agriculture science, cosmetology, dressmaking and art.