Councillor for the Dalvey division in St Thomas, Michael McLeod, has expressed concern about the lack of a secondary education institution for children with mentally and physically disabled in the parish.

Speaking at last week’s meeting of the St Thomas Parish Council, Councillor McLeod lamented the plight of several special needs students in his division.

He pointed out that the education of many of these students stop at the primary level because their parents were unable or reluctant to send them out of the parish.

The councillor went on to say that traditional high schools in St Thomas often cater to students with special needs, but oftentimes these students get left behind because their needs are greater than what the mainstream educational system can address.

Parish Manager of the Social Development Commission, Lorian Peart Roberts, suggested that a programme could be established within a traditional high school to offer courses and various qualifications to special needs student.

Councillor McLeod then urged the parish council and other agencies to explore every avenue to address the issue and to petition the Ministry of Education for assistance.

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