WHEELCHAIR BOUND STUDENT UNABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL AFTER PASSING GSAT

The absence of a wheelchair ramp at Hopewell High School in Hanover has prevented 13-year-old Britannia Stephenson, who has been diagnosed with encephalopathy, from starting classes in September at the school where she was placed following her sitting of this year’s Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

A seemingly frustrated Cecilia Hill, the mother of young Britannia — who has not walked since birth — said that her daughter, who graduated from Watford Hill Primary School in Woodlands, Hanover, in June, is still at home in the New Milns community, nearly two months into the academic year, waiting anxiously to start school.

“She is at home getting mad and frustrated. She is stressed out and getting angry because she wants to go to school. She would feel more relaxed and comfortable at school than sitting at home all day,” Hill told the Jamaica Observer.

According to Hill, just before the start of the academic school year in September she was advised by the principal of Hopewell High that his school would not be able to accommodate the wheelchair-bound Britannia because of the absence of a ramp.

Hill said that the Ministry of Education was “fully aware” that her daughter was physically challenged “long before” she sat GSAT, yet she was placed at Hopewell High.

She explained that after her child’s non-acceptance at the school contact was then made with personnel at the Ministry of Education, who advised her that Anchovy High School in the neighbouring parish of St James was willing to accept her.

But the “heavy financial cost” of getting Britannia to that school from the deep rural New Milns community where she lives, and back, as well as other costs associated with her schooling, have up to now prevented Hill, a single parent, from sending her daughter school.

“Anchovy High said they would take her, but I am unable to send her right now because it’s going to cost a lot of money. To get a car to take her from home to that school could cost as much as $1,500 alone per day, plus to take her back home, lunch money, uniform, books….. and I don’t really have it,” said Hill, who is a part-time ancillary worker at Watford Hill Primary School in Woodlands.

Additionally, If Britannia goes to Anchovy High, Hill would have to find someone to “shadow” her, or leave her present part-time job to do so.

The expenses involved to send her to Hopewell High, particularly the cost of transportation, she stressed, would be much less.

She told the Sunday Observer yesterday, however, that she is trying her best to make preparations for young Britannia to start school when the next school term begins in January.

“I picked up the package from the school (Anchovy High) already, and I am now trying to get some books, and a relative from overseas has promised to help out with the uniforms, so come January she should be in school,” Hill explained.

She added that Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern, Dave Brown, has also promised some assistance for Britannia, who is on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

Region Four director at the education ministry, Dr Michele Pinnock, told the Sunday Observer that arrangements have long been made for Britannia to attend Anchovy High.

“The ministry had made arrangements for her to go to Anchovy High from September, and if she is having any difficulties we are willing to collaborate with our partners and stakeholders in an effort to assist,” Pinnock stressed.

She added that the ministry is taking steps to install wheelchair ramps at schools across western Jamaica.

Britannia, an avid chess player, in the meantime, says she is anxiously waiting to return to school.

“Yes, I am really looking to go back, to make friends and to learn. I am used to be going to school, I can hardly wait to go back,” said the youngster.

Acting principal of Watford hill Primary Fania Davis, who has taught Britannia, said even though the youngster has a disability, she was pretty much on par with the other students at the school.

“She made the effort to do her homework, she participated in class, participated in sports day… she never exempted herself from anything that we were doing. She was limited, yes, but it (her disability) did not prevent her from participation,” Davis noted.

Davis added that despite Britannia’s limitations her GSAT grades were “not bad”, adding that she had the fourth highest average at the school amongst the students who sat the examinations.

She noted that when Britannia started at Watford Hill Primary she moved around on her knees with the assistance of a hassock.

Two ramps were later constructed at the more than 100-year-old primary school after Britannia was gifted a wheelchair.