The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Stapledon School received a new wheelchair-accessible bus yesterday through a donation from Prime Minister Philip Davis and Minister of Innovation and National Development Sebas Bastian, a move school officials said would significantly improve transportation for students with disabilities.

The presentation took place at the school located on Dolphin Drive, where Prime Minister Davis was surrounded by government officials, as well as Stapleton School faculty and students gathered for the handover.

Mr Bastian said the donation was intended to ensure students were not limited by transportation challenges.

"We pitched in together to purchase this bus for the Stapledon School, and now today we are not just here to donate a bus, but we are here to create opportunity and cement the fact that education should not be limited by mobility, and our students should be armed with the equipment they need to get around," he said.

He said the vehicle would allow the school to transport students to sporting events and other community and social activities.

Mr Bastian also praised Principal Amanda Moncer and the school's staff for their service to students.

"You know, sometimes we forget the importance the Stapledon School plays in our country, and though Stapledon is located in the constituency of Fort Charlotte, the impact of this school stretches far beyond the boundary lines of this constituency because these students are from all over New Providence," he said.

Prime Minister Davis said the donation stemmed from concerns raised during a previous visit to the school as part of the government's school breakfast programme.

He recalled speaking with Ms Moncer about the school's transportation needs and said the bus represented a direct response to that request.

"I hear you, and this is a demonstration that I heard what she said, and today what you requested is now being manifested to help these young people," he said.

"We are of the belief that no child should be left behind. Their circumstance shall not deprive them of any of the resources, facility, and or any opportunity that they and their talent could have for them."

Mr Davis also rejected suggestions that the donation could be viewed through a political lens.

"I said no, let us do it now because it is from our heart, and it is for you, the fine children of Stapledon School," he said.

Stapledon School serves students with a range of special needs and disabilities from across New Providence.

Ms Moncer said the new vehicle would improve transportation for students who use wheelchairs, allowing them to travel with greater dignity and comfort.

"It will assist us in transporting our students who use wheelchairs, and they can now be transported in dignity," she said.

"We have another little vehicle here that we use, but Janelle, for example, she has to come out of a chair and then climb onto that little grey van over there, but now with this vehicle, she can be wheeled right up onto that ramp, and she does not even have to come out of the chair if she does not want to."

Ms Moncer also used the occasion to publicly request that the government's breakfast programme be expanded to operate five days a week at the school.

She said the initiative had improved attendance and become an important part of students' daily routine.

"We found that the breakfast is really helping with their attendance, so if possible, when you are looking at the numbers and the figures, look at breakfast five days a week," she said.

"The students really look forward to it, and some of them come to the kitchen on the days when we do not have breakfast because they think we have breakfast."

She thanked both Mr Davis and Mr Bastian for the donation and expressed hope that the relationship between the school and government officials would continue beyond the presentation.

"We really appreciate this gift, and Mr Bastian, we know that this will be an ongoing relationship. This is not a one and done," Ms Moncer said.

Students later joined together to thank the officials for the donation as the ceremony concluded, with Prime Minister Davis and Minister Bastian taking photos of handing over the keys to the bus to the principal.