Academic Packages Boost SEND Support for Parents

Academic Packages Boost SEND Support for Parents

September 26, 2025 - Parents whose children are enrolled in Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) centres across the country are being provided with packages that contain specially curated materials to enable them to assist their children at home.

Minister of Education, Honourable Sonia Parag, on Thursday led the distribution of these packages to the parents of pupils enrolled at the SEND centre located in a section of the Blairmont Primary School in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Minister Parag emphasized that the package is meticulously tailored to meet the specific needs of each child. "Students who require special care need a learning process that is uniquely tailored to help them achieve their developmental milestones," she stated. "This package was created to do just that. It's not only a guide for our dedicated teachers but also a valuable tool for parents who wish to support their children's development at home."

This distribution is a emphasizes the Government of Guyana’s commitment towards enhancing Special Needs Education.

It aims to foster a more cohesive and nurturing learning environment, building on existing support mechanisms which include financial aid via the monthly public assistance, the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) cash grants, enhanced rehabilitation services and the employment push by the Office of the First Lady, Her Excellency, Arya Ali.

Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility Special Education Needs and Disabilities, Dr. Keon Cheong explained that these packages target SEND learners between the ages of 3-12 and “addresses the categories such as intellectual disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome etc, along with pupils who have autism spectrum disorders, pupils who are blind and visually impaired and deaf and hearing impaired.”

He added that the packets differ based on the category of disability allowing for the uniqueness of situation while providing the parent with the support needed at home.

“Packets for learners on the autism spectrum will have visual schedule, that supports transitioning and communication,” Dr. Cheong noted.

Meanwhile, packets for the blind and visually impaired, Dr. Cheong said, would have recorders for them to record the lesson and listen to it later at home.

All the support packages are complimented with an orientation to the contents so that parents can use them meaningfully in the home setting.

With inclusivity and equality being a focus of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the government, Minister Parag said there is a heightened commitment to strengthening and expanding the country’s special needs programs.

These including increasing the number of special needs centers nationwide, increasing the number of qualified physiotherapists across all centres, as well as expanding access to resources for speech therapy.

Meanwhile, before parents of the 14 special needs pupils collected their packages, Minister Parag opened the floor for them to raise any concerns or challenges that can be addressed by her or the wider Ministry of Education.

Minister Parag has committed to resolving the issues highlighted during the meeting.

Also in attendance were Regional Education Officer- Region Five, Selestine La Rose, Region Five Member of Parliament, Faizal Jaffarally, and Outgoing Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal.

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