The official handover ceremony brought together education officials, principals, and project representatives to celebrate what many described as a milestone moment for special education in Saint Lucia.

Dale St. Juste, Education Officer for Special Schools, said the contribution will transform learning opportunities for children with special needs.

“This is a long-awaited day for special schools,” St. Juste said. “Research confirms that playing a musical instrument does a world of good for children with special needs. The PEARL has done quite a lot for special education, but this consignment stands out as one of its crowning contributions.”

He explained that each of the five schools will receive a complete set of professional-grade instruments designed to last for years and enhance students’ development and cognitive skills.

Oricel St. Ville, Change Assistant at the OECS PEARL, said the project’s focus on special education reflects its core mission, ensuring no learner is left behind.

“One of the key pillars of the PEARL project is special education,” she said. “Guided by the vision that every learner can succeed, we are proud to finance the purchase of these instruments to help every child, regardless of ability, thrive.”

For Vanessa Menal, Principal of the Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre, the instruments are more than just tools for learning, they are symbols of recognition and inclusion.

“Our students may not all excel academically, but many have great strengths in music and the arts,” Menal said. “This investment acknowledges those strengths and gives our students a new avenue to shine.”

Funded through the OECS Commission and the Global Partnership for Education, the initiative aims to enrich the special education curriculum, foster creativity, and strengthen inclusion across Saint Lucia’s schools.