Parliamentary Representative for Micoud North, Hon. Jeremiah Norbert, accompanied Hon. Danny Butcher, Minister in the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Early Childhood, Continuing and Special Education and Digital Transformation, on a visit at the Special Education Centre in Vieux Fort to engage with teachers, students, and support staff and to assess the institution’s needs.
The visit underscored the government’s commitment to inclusive education, particularly for children who are differently abled and require specialized care, resources, and learning environments. Both officials met with educators and staff to discuss challenges, support systems, and opportunities to further enhance services for students with special needs.
Following the visit to the Special Education Centre, Hon. Norbert toured several schools across the Micoud North constituency as the new academic year officially commenced on Tuesday January 6th. The school tour included Micoud Secondary School, Micoud Primary School, Mon Repos–Patience Combined School, and the Miraj Sachs School.
The visits formed part of ongoing efforts to assess school readiness, engage with administrators and teachers, and identify areas requiring immediate attention at the start of the academic term. During the tour, Norbert interacted with principals and staff, observed classroom environments, and discussed infrastructure, staffing, and resource needs to ensure a smooth start for both students and educators.
Emphasizing the importance of direct engagement, Hon. Norbert noted that being present at schools at the beginning of the academic year allows for a clearer understanding of on-the-ground realities. “It is important for us as representatives to be on the ground, to see firsthand the conditions under which our children learn and our teachers work,” he said. “Education remains a top priority, and these visits allow us to respond more effectively to the needs of our schools.”
He also highlighted the value of collaboration with the Ministry of Education in strengthening educational outcomes across the constituency. “Working closely with the Ministry ensures that concerns raised at the school level are addressed in a timely and meaningful way,” Norbert added. “Our goal is to create safe, supportive, and modern learning environments for every child in Micoud North.”
According to the Micoud North MP, one of the highlights of the tour was the significant improvement works completed at the Mon Repos–Patience Combined School, particularly the resurfacing of the school grounds. “The majority of the grounds have been resurfaced, and we are now contemplating whether to introduce a green space,”Norbert said. “Today, the children were already enjoying the new surface, playing cricket and engaging in other activities. Tremendous work has been done, and it is a positive development for both students and school personnel.”
Both Ministers Norbert and Butcher reaffirmed the government’s commitment to early childhood development, inclusive education, and digital transformation, noting that regular school visits play a critical role in shaping responsive and effective education policies.
The visits were well received by school administrators, who welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers as the 2026 academic year gets underway.
