Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance has announced that his Dominica Labour Party Administration will commit to meeting the operating cost of the Alpha Centre, a school for children with special needs. The Prime Minister’s announcement came as he visited the school on Friday, March 7, 2014.
Prime Minister Skerrit stated the commitment to the Alpha Centre would begin immediately and will be for an indefinite period. Previously Government had provided a five thousand dollar a month subvention to the institution to which the Prime Minister expressed, “I feel that these institutions need to be given greater prominence in society because of the work that you do. We can help do so by ensuring you don’t go every month with a sponsor sheet looking for funding. So you will be at ease to know that every month you get the resources to cover your cost.” .
Prime Minister Skerrit also announced a special grant for the individual students of the Alpha Centre. The grant is to go towards covering transportation and uniform cost for the students. This is in keeping with Government’s policy to provide the necessary resources that would ensure that all students are able to attend school.
Ms. Jean Jacob, Member of the Board of Directors of the Alpha Centre expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his visit. She welcomed the announcements by the Prime Minister, stating that this will go a long way in ensuring the school fulfills its mandate to help those with special needs.
During his visit, Prime Minister Skerrit observed the various programmes available at the school while interacting with the students and faculty.
The Alpha Centre was founded in June 1974 and will celebrate its fortieth anniversary later this year. The school has a student population of thirty-eight ranging from age six to nineteen. There are eleven staff members, nine full-time and two part-time.