A new two-year pilot programme has been launched in St. Maarten to strengthen support for students with Special Educational Needs and improve inclusive education.
Project INSPIRE is a partnership between Education, Consulting, Academic Advising and Mentoring, or ECAAM, of Dominica, and the SKOS Catholic Education Foundation of St. Maarten.
The programme will focus on teacher and school management training, classroom strategies, student assessment and support, parent workshops and public awareness.
Participating schools include Sister Regina Primary, St. Dominic Primary, St. Dominic High, St. Joseph Catholic School of Education, Sister Borgia Elementary and St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School.
Organizers say the goal is to help educators better identify individual learning needs, adapt classroom practices and create environments that promote participation and inclusion.
Project INSPIRE stands for Inspiring, Nurturing Support for Professional and Responsive Inclusive Education.
The two-year pilot is being supported by several local businesses and families, including Winair, Windward Islands Bank, Artmenia Events Planning, Accessible Ventures and the Hope-Ros Family.