Possibilities took centre stage at the 2025 Special Education Inter-School Sports Meet on Thursday, as students from across the island gathered at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort to showcase their talents.
Held on the eve of World Down Syndrome Day, this annual celebration of athleticism featured all the special education centres across the country, namely the Dunnottar School, Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre, Dennery Child Development Centre, Vieux Fort Special Education Centre, and the Soufriere Special Education Rehabilitation Centre.
Guided by the Special Olympics theme, Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt, the event focused on participation rather than competition. Students with a wide range of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism, Down Syndrome, visual impairments, and hearing impairments, took part in the activities.
Each athlete received the necessary assistance to ensure their participation. Among the events were a guided walk, an assisted walk, the 50m dash, 80m dash, 100m dash, 200m dash, relay races, a sack race, a lime and spoon race, fill the bottle, and tug of war.
Students were placed into three divisions—Junior, Intermediate, and Senior—based on their abilities rather than their age. The abilities of these athletes should not be underestimated, as seen by Dillion Joseph from the Vieux Fort Special Education Centre, who recently competed in an inter-school table tennis competition, with regular learning institutions, and finished third overall.
Special Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Dale St Juste, emphasised that the event serves as an extension of the physical education (PE) programme at each special education school.
Additionally, he highlighted that the meet provides a significant confidence boost for these students, who are often disregarded or mistreated by society.
“Throughout the school year, students at the special schools participate in weekly PE classes that promote physical literacy. In addition to the natural balance this provides against academic studies, it is particularly important for some students with special needs who may have an impairment involving motor functions,” St Juste noted.
“The sports meet is the culmination of these PE classes and is an opportunity for students to gain the effective benefits of being cheered on and representing their school.”
He stressed the importance of such events in combating negative stereotypes and fostering self-esteem among students with special needs.
“Children with special needs frequently experience mistreatment and negative stereotyping. Many of the students competing were transferred out of general education schools where, unfortunately, these students . . . hardly ever get selected to represent their school,” he explained.
“At the special education centres, they have an opportunity to shine and taste success. This always does a world of good to their confidence and self-esteem. The fact that the atmosphere is not highly competitive gives them the freedom to do their best without fear of criticism. We see this experience as an essential element of the holistic development that we promote in the special education subsector.”
When asked how the general public can support such a meaningful initiative, St Juste responded: “The easiest way to support the Inter-Special Schools Sports Meet is by attending. The more people witness children with special needs succeeding and engaging in normal everyday activities, the lesser will be the stigma and discrimination these children will experience. Businesses can allow a small contingent of staff to attend in uniforms, which will both increase the applauding audience and serve as a marketing opportunity for the enterprise – a mutually beneficial experience. There is always a need for funding support, which can also be ‘in kind’ contributions.”
