Dear Editor,
I’m writing to highlight the importance of psycho-social support for learners with special education needs and their families.
People with special education needs often face a lot of emotional and psychological challenges that can really affect their learning and well-being. These challenges can include anxiety, feeling lonely, low self-esteem, and trouble communicating, among others. Families, too, can feel stressed, worried, and isolated as they try to help their child with their education. Many families don’t have access to trained professionals who can give them counseling and advice that’s just right for them. And the stigma around disabilities can make it even harder for families to get help and support.
Here are some of the main challenges that show why we need comprehensive psycho-social support:
- Families are under a lot of stress: Parents and caregivers often feel really stressed and anxious while trying to help their child, which can lead to burnout and feeling exhausted.
- Learners with special education needs can feel lonely: They might have trouble making friends, which can make them feel sad and excluded. This isolation can affect their mental health and social development.
- Many families don’t know where to find the right support: They might not know where to go for help or might not be able to get there because of money or where they live.
- Transitioning to a new grade, school, or life after school can be really tough without proper support: As learners with special education needs move forward in their education, changes like going to a new grade, school, or life after school can be really scary without the right support systems in place.
- Mental Health Matters: Learners with special education needs are more likely to face mental health challenges, which can make it harder for them to learn and enjoy life.
The SEND department and the School Support Services department are working hard to help learners with SEND in Guyana; a robust referral system between the departments and co-management of each case can yield results. This is another important step that the Ministry has taken to improve the quality of life for this underrepresented population.
Yours truly,
Keon Cheong
Assistant Chief Education Officer
