Daley Calls for Urgent Review After Staffing Shortages Reportedly Force Blind School to Turn Away Students

Denise Daley says it is unacceptable for children with visual impairments or multiple disabilities to be turned away from Jamaica’s Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired because of staffing shortages.

Daley, the opposition spokesperson on gender, elderly people and persons with disabilities, called for an urgent assessment of staffing at the school and other specialist institutions. She said specialised education supports children’s development, independence and future opportunities.

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This situation is deeply concerning. No child should be placed in a position where they cannot access the education they need because there are not enough teachers and support personnel available to meet their needs. We have to do better for our children with disabilities.

“This situation is deeply concerning. No child should be placed in a position where they cannot access the education they need because there are not enough teachers and support personnel available to meet their needs. We have to do better for our children with disabilities,” Daley said.

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We need to further strengthen the staffing complement at specialist schools and ensure that the resources provided are aligned with the actual needs of students, particularly those with multiple disabilities.

She argued that schools must adapt as the profile and needs of their students change. “We need to further strengthen the staffing complement at specialist schools and ensure that the resources provided are aligned with the actual needs of students, particularly those with multiple disabilities,” she said.

Daley also said strengthening special education requires more than adding staff. “Strengthening special education means looking at the whole picture. It means ensuring that we have enough trained teachers and support staff, but also that students have access to assistive technology, transportation and facilities that are accessible and appropriate for them,” she said.

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Strengthening special education means looking at the whole picture. It means ensuring that we have enough trained teachers and support staff, but also that students have access to assistive technology, transportation and facilities that are accessible and appropriate for them.

She urged the government to engage with the school, the Salvation Army, parents and disability advocates to identify immediate needs. “We must continue to build a system that does not simply accommodate children with disabilities, but gives them every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive,” Daley added.

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We must continue to build a system that does not simply accommodate children with disabilities, but gives them every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.