Speech and language centre gets go-ahead

A centre which will help children with speech and language difficulties has been given the go-ahead by Education Minister, Barry Gardiner.

The "I CAN" Early Years Centre will be based at Gibson Primary School in Omagh and will help provide therapy and education to pre-school children with specific speech and language impairment.

Commenting on the announcement, the Minister said: "This centre will give pre-school children with speech and language difficulties one of the very best starts in life. It will make a real impact on the lives and education of our young children in Omagh and I wish those involved every success."

Gibson Primary School was considered to be an appropriate location for the Centre as it already has a speech and language unit for children over primary school age.

This is a joint proposal formulated by the Western Education and Library Board and the Western Health and Social Services Board. The Boards indicate that this joint initiative will provide a high quality service, with support from a specialised team in an appropriate pre-school environment.

‘I CAN’ is the national education charity for children with speech and language difficulties. In June 2003 the charity awarded a two year grant to establish a specialised Early Years Service for early intervention in respect of children with speech and language difficulties within the area served by the WELB and the WHSSB.

(MB)