THE creation of a training centre in Guyana for disabled youths is moving closer to realisation, as President David Granger has mandated the relevant ministries involved to identify a location for the facility. The purpose of the centre is to stimulate the development of children, adolescents and youths who have special education needs associated with disabilities.
This project has its genesis in the 4th CARICOM/Cuba summit held in Trinidad and Tobago in December 2011, and the 15th Meeting of the Councils for Foreign and Community Relations held in Suriname in May 2012, where Guyana agreed to undertake the lead role in the creation of the training centre.
Consequently, an oversight committee was established in November 2012, comprising of representatives from the CARICOM Secretariat, the then Ministries of Health, Human Services and Social Security, and the National Commission on Disability.
According to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, Cabinet has approved the conclusion of a cooperation and technical assistance agreement with CARICOM, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cuba and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana.
This agreement will lead to the establishment of the centre, and according to Minister Trotman, Cabinet has also mandated that the relevant ministries within the oversight committee meet urgently with the CARICOM Secretariat to resolve all outstanding matters, including the selection of a suitable site to locate the centre and enable the effective implementation of the project.