Sun | May 17, 2026

Vision Learning fights to keep doors open

Published:Wednesday | December 8, 2010 | 12:00 AM
(From left) Matthew Dennis of the Clifton community, located near Bernard Lodge; Leroy Graham (partly hidden) from Central Village; Damion Thomas of March Pen Road; and Aldyn Carr, also of March Pen Road, participate in a class spelling competition at the Vision Learning and Remedial Centre in Spanish Town, St Catherine. The organisation aims to assist slow learners from violence-affected communities in the Greater Spanish Town area. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Sermar Taylor beamed with pride as he read a book while sitting in the front row of his class.

Taylor has been attending the school, Vision Learning and Remedial Centre, for the past two years and claims to have made strides since enrolling there.

"When I started here, I could not spell my name. It is different now, as I can read, write and do mathematics," he told The Gleaner.

Taylor is one of 87 students enrolled at the centre located on King Street in Spanish Town, St Catherine. The school caters to street children and slow learners.

Principal Myrtle Aire said children who are unable to cope in the public-school system are taken to her institution for remedial classes. She said the students are sent back to the public-school system when they improve. The school charges $5,000 per term to students but Aire said many do not pay.

She said the non-payment has contributed to the school now facing its darkest days, and pupils like Taylor - who dreams of becoming a teacher - may be left out in the cold as the institution is faced with a debt of $300,000 which is owed to the school's landlords.

"We are in dire need of financial help to keep these doors open. We are facing a crisis where money is concerned. As a result, we are being sued. We really want to continue helping the children but we need help," Aire told The Gleaner yesterday.

Aire, 70, who has given more than 30 years to the classroom, said her school has helped many slow learners become model citizens. She says that is the motivation for her to have it remain open.

"Last year, we sent up 16 students for the Grade Nine Achievement Test and all, except one, passed. That is the pattern for three consecutive years," Aire said.