In another installation of the Adopt A Student Project, the Ministry Of Education distributed spectacles to students on Tuesday continued their efforts of addressing the challenges faced by schools across the country.
The vision screening,testing and provision of spectacles for students who would otherwise not have access to them , saw the engagement of principals and teachers from the schools in focus, at the spectacles distribution ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Education.
Education Officer at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Tracy Lucas shared her experience with her first pair of glasses.
“When I got my new glasses, my favourite things to do was just to start looking around. I would look at the trees and they used to be green blurs now I could see all the leaves, the details. I used to look at the sky, before it was just big and blue now I could see birds flying in the sky. My favourite thing though, was to look at the ground. The ground used to look weird and wonky and wavy, you’re not sure that if you step your foot is going to reach where you telling it to reach. But I was always amazed at what I was seeing.”
Line Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly emphasized the importance of providing equity in education, enabling students with equal opportunities and changing the perception of the experience of school.
“So it’s not simply about the vision screening, that’s a part of it. But it’s a part of a wider holistic approach to our schools of focus that is hinged on equity in education opportunity, hinged on re-engaging our students for success, understanding that if we do not do this, then we will lose much of the potential that is Trinidad and Tobago.”
Encouraging students to seize the benefits of the spectacles, Chief Education Officer at the Ministry Peter Smith affirmed the dedication of the Ministry of education in addressing the issues faced by schools.
“Today marks a new beginning. With these spectacles, you may see the world with greater clarity and confidence. May you read more, explore more and dream bigger. The Ministry of education remains committed to ensuring that no child is limited by preventable obstacles.”
Born from the need to address the challenges that students and schools face, the Adopt A Student programme by the Ministry Of Education has implemented strategies for sixteen schools of focus across the country through several initiatives such as this.