When faced with overwhelming difficulty during times of uncertainty, the easiest option to choose tends to be quitting, but not so for the Achievement Learning Center (ALC).
ALC has remained dedicated to meeting the needs of its students. Although the school may not be sure of having a physical location presently, they continue to provide online learning to its students. Ironically, ALC received an eviction notice on the same day an article was posted highlighting the school’s decision to provide online education in the face of COVID-19.
Many parents have been unable to pay the school fees which help ALC to function. Because of this, after Hurricane Maria, the ALC has been receiving tuition assistance on behalf of the students. This assistance has been helping to pay the rent for ALC’s school building. Since January 2020, this funding has become unavailable, making ALC unable to pay their rent. Things have gone further downhill because of the present pandemic. UNICEF and WHO highlighted the issue of children and youth with disabilities being further marginalized during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not want this to be the case with the students at ALC.
ALC opened its doors in March 2011 in order to fill the gap which existed in the mainstream classroom. The school has overcome many challenges and boasts multiple successes. Out of the 4 boys who have graduated from ALC, one is employed at Jollys Pharmacy and another one works in landscaping. The remaining two graduates are students at the Dominica State College doing the CSEC (CXC) program after having successfully completed the CCSLC (CXC organized exam done in third form of secondary school) program.
Director of ALC, Beverly Leblanc, speaks emotionally about some of the students who came in with no speech abilities who are now able to have basic conversations. She says that the ALC is not merely focused on academics, but engages their students in a wide range of activities. These activities include visits to Jungle Bay and the national stadium to watch cricket games; participation in National 4-H club activities, painting, and dancing; plus learning life skills such as cooking and ironing. The ALC also hosted a pageant last year called the “Princess Within” to highlight the students’ abilities despite their challenges.While ALC staff members are using online platforms to teach, they all agree that they prefer teaching face-to-face because of the various disabilities faced by the students. Not only that, but ALC has also partnered with agencies to enhance the physical environment around the school. Work has been done on the playground and kitchen and a wheelchair ramp has also been installed. For these reasons, losing the school building would be a disappointment to both the staff members and the students.
There are some challenges that cannot be overcome through a computer screen. Turning students’ potential for overcoming their respective challenges into possibilities is ALC’s purpose. This school is in need of your help to keep their doors open after this pandemic is over so that the students and teachers can continue to prove that children with disabilities can contribute to our community. Children with disabilities deserve an opportunity to live independent lives and be functional members of society.
If you are able to assist, no matter how small the contribution is, visit ALC’s Facebook page or send them an email at [email protected].
