The Education, Consulting, Academic Advising and Mentoring (ECAAM), in partnership with SKOS Catholic Education Foundation of St. Maarten, is set to launch Project INSPIRE, an initiative focused on strengthening responsive and inclusive education. The official launch and teacher training programme will take place in St. Maarten from September 28 to October 2, 2026, with the formal project launch scheduled for September 30 at the SKOS Training Center in Philipsburg.
Project INSPIRE is designed to strengthen education for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) while building the capacity of teachers and promoting more responsive learning environments. The two-year pilot will focus on improving instruction, assessment and student support through regional collaboration, professional development and the application of effective teaching strategies. The initiative is guided by the principle that every learner should have an opportunity to access, participate in, learn and feel a sense of belonging within the classroom.
According to the programme outlined by the organizers, Project INSPIRE will include school visits and classroom engagement, teacher professional development, SEN and inclusive education training, Adapted teaching methods and lesson adaptation, inclusive classroom management, and practical strategies for diverse learners. The initiative is intended to help educators better understand the needs of individual students, adapt classroom practices and create learning environments that promote participation and inclusion.
The official launch ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on September 30 at the SKOS Training Center in Philipsburg. The event will also be livestreamed by Richie Ferrol Media Services, EmoNews and Dominica News Online, providing audiences outside St. Maarten with an opportunity to follow the launch and learn more about the regional education initiative.
