Appeal for state-funded adult education for those with Down Syndrome

Adult education is still not accessible to children who have Down Syndrome, even though they too have a lot to learn and the ability to do so.

"Adult education is being offered by the State but not to our children," the Down Syndrome Association said in a statement issued to mark World Down Syndrome Day, themed Celebrating Diversity, next Wednesday. "Because of their condition our children need more time to learn."

Confronted by this unacceptable situation, the association and the Eden Foundation have begun a two-year transition programme for Down Syndrome children from secondary school to employment training.

This is being funded by the parents of the students who are benefiting from this programme, the association said.

The association noted that, after setting up a committee last April, it has since been working and putting pressure on the authorities for Down Syndrome children to benefit from adult education of good quality - but nothing had been done so far.

"World Down Syndrome day is here and the least the authorities concerned can do is listen to our youngsters," the association said. "They need more time to learn more; they want to learn more and they have the ability to do so.

"They just want to be given the opportunity to be prepared for adult life so as to access the labour market like their peers."

This is the second year that World Down Syndrome day is being celebrated on Wednesday (March 21). The date was chosen to signify the uniqueness of Down Syndrome in the triplication of the 21st chromosome.