EACH PROJECT RECEIVES A BUDGET ALLOCATION OF USD$20,000 UNDER THE UNESCO PARTICIPATION PROGRAMME.

The National Commission for UNESCO has provided funding to the Special Education Unit and the Department of Sustainable Development for the undertaking of two major education projects.

A joint cheque presentation marked the official start of the two projects, that will provide reading support to students with print disabilities at the Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre and strengthen the legislative framework for the promotion of science and technology. Each project received a budget allocation of USD$20,000 under the UNESCO Participation Programme for the 2020/2021 biennium.

Director General of the National Commission for UNESCO, Marcia Symphorien, said the two initiatives are in-keeping with UNESCO’s strategic priorities of increasing learning opportunities and harnessing the sciences for the sustainable development for persons in vulnerable situations; with particular attention placed on crisis-affected populations as well as persons with learning challenges.

“That Saint Lucia was successful in securing funding for three Participation Projects at the first meeting of the Approval Committee at a time when the organization is itself is feeling the impact of reduced funding from donor agencies, speaks volumes of the quality of the submissions that are made to UNESCO from Saint Lucia. I congratulate the ministry for these two excellent projects.”

The first project, Providing Reading Support for Students With Print Disabilities at the Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre, seeks to improve access for students with dyslexia, low vision, or select mobility impairment to reading materials in digital formats that fit their specific learning needs.

The second project, Strengthening the Legislative and Institutional Framework for the Promotion of Science and Technology, has a key objective to ensure that science and technology becomes one of the vital bases for the development and growth of Saint Lucia.