18 local special needs students certified

Students of the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre have received certificates for development through the British-based Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN).

A total of 18 past and present students at the institution for special needs students received certificates across four major categories. The cohort of students received certification from courses done from January 2018 to June 2021. 

The certificates are for Steppingstone Book 1, New Horizons, Transition Challenge and Towards Independence. The Steppingstone Book 1 had six students; the New Horizons programme had three students with 15 different modules. 

Meanwhile, the Transition Challenge had 10 students with 48 modules and Towards Independence had 14 students with 65 modules. All the courses and programmes were provided by the Ministry of Education.

The Chief Education Officer, Connie George said the ASDAN is an education charity and awarding organisation that provides regulated qualifications, accredited curriculum programmes and a range of other courses to help young people develop knowledge and skills for learning, work and life. 

The network is used mainly by young people who suffer from varying disabilities that impacts their learning abilities.

“The goal is to engage them through relevant and motivating courses to achieve meaningful learning outcomes, which elevate them to go on to further education, training and work, and empower them to take control of their lives,” George said.

Meanwhile, Special Education Officer Afiya Smith noted Eslyn Henley Learning Centre and BVI Services currently utilise some of the programmes and persons are certified in various modules.

 “Presently, the courses, ‘New Horizons’ and ‘Transitions’ are being used with younger learners and ‘Towards Independence’ with older learners,” she said.

“There are other options in courses offered which might be even more suitable for students at the mainstream secondary level that can be explored on their website at www.asdan.org.uk,” the Special Education Officer added.

The Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre is an institution that caters for special needs students in the territory. The school started in 1972 and celebrate its 48th anniversary on October 12.