St. Maarten hosts launch of Project INSPIRE, Caribbean teacher training initiative

A collaborative effort to strengthen teaching practices for students with special educational needs across the Caribbean begins this week in St. Maarten. Project INSPIRE, developed by the Education, Consulting, Academic Advising and Mentoring (ECAAM) organisation alongside the SKOS Catholic Education Foundation, kicks off September 28 and runs through October 2, with its formal unveiling set for September 30.

The two-year pilot programme centres on building teacher capacity to create more responsive classrooms. ECAAM and SKOS Catholic Education Foundation say the work rests on a fundamental belief: that every learner should have an opportunity to access, participate in, learn and feel a sense of belonging within the classroom.

Teachers involved will engage in multiple training components. These include school visits paired with classroom observation, professional development workshops, instruction on special educational needs and inclusive education practices, adapted teaching methods, lesson design, classroom management strategies suited to diverse learners, and practical techniques for meeting individual student needs. The goal is to equip educators to recognise what different students require and reshape their teaching to foster participation and inclusion.

The formal launch ceremony runs from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on September 30 at the SKOS Training Center in Philipsburg. Beyond those attending in person, the event will be available online through livestreaming by Richie Ferrol Media Services, EmoNews and Dominica News Online, extending access to audiences across the region.