THE newly-launched Regional Associated School Project Network (ASPnet) in Region 10 is making strides in fostering inclusion among Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Just last week, in collaboration with the Region’s Department of Education, ASPnet held its inaugural United Nations (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) where over 100 parents, teachers and students attended.

The event took place in Linden at the Mackenzie Primary School and saw the attendance of members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Education Ministry’s Special Education Needs Unit (SEN).

ASPnet comes under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and works to promote peace, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development and quality education in practice.
There are over 11,500 ASPnet members while the network has educational links across the world in182 countries.

This network is recognised as an effective tool for reaching Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) goals and supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) four on quality education.
A number of secondary schools across the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Region are a part of the programme, including Kwakwani, New Silver City, Linden Foundation, Harmony and Wisburg secondary schools.

Two primary schools, Wismar Hill and Mackenzie, are also involved as well as Pine Street and West Watooka nursery schools.
A workshop hosted by the Ministry of Education and facilitated by National ASPnet Coordinator from Trinidad and Tobago, Omar Mohammed, has assisted the region’s District Education Officer (Nursery), Shivon Greene-Brewster and Nursery Field Officer Faye Anne Tappin-Benn, in knowing how to make the network work effectively.

Following the meeting, Greene-Brewster and Tappin-Benn were able to conduct a one-day regional workshop and on December 3, 2018, the department celebrated International Day for Persons With Disabilities.

At this inaugural activity, persons were given the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills and booths were set up to display art and craft, agriculture and numeracy.
The two institutions which cater for PWDs are the Linden Special Needs Centre and the Resource Unit for the Blind. Both institutions were present at the event.

Regional Education Officer (REO) Rabina Singh and the Regional Democratic Council were credited as being very supportive in making the event a success.
At the event, Education Officers Gale Blue and Yolanda Trotman from the Ministry’s Special Needs Unit (SEN) relayed their appreciation for the newly- formed network and the initiative for recognising PWDs.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian, who delivered the main address, pledged continued support for ASPnet.

At the end of the day’s activity, a Blind Cricket Competition was held among persons with special needs. It filled the children with much excitement as even as those without disabilities participated