Students at Granville Primary and Infant School in Trelawny will now have access to dedicated therapeutic support, following the recent opening of a specially designed play therapy room aimed at promoting their emotional, social and psychological well-being.
The facility was established through a partnership involving the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Food For the Poor Jamaica and the Sandals Foundation.
It is one of three therapeutic playrooms created under the initiative, alongside facilities at Irwin Primary School in St. James and Port Maria Primary and Infant School in St. Mary.
In remarks read by Senior Education Officer, Dr. Fabian Wainwright, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, stated that supporting students’ emotional and psychosocial well-being is fundamental to improving educational outcomes.
“Today, we celebrate more than the opening of a room. We celebrate an investment in our children and a commitment to providing them with the support they need to thrive,” Dr. Troupe said.
She said the therapeutic playroom has been thoughtfully designed as a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where students can build resilience, develop healthy coping skills, strengthen social connections and receive support for their emotional needs.
She noted that learning does not occur in isolation, pointing out that a child’s ability to succeed in the classroom is closely linked to his or her mental, emotional and psychosocial well-being.
“When students feel safe, supported and understood, they are better able to engage in learning, build positive relationships and reach their full potential,” the Permanent Secretary said.
Dr. Troupe further noted the Ministry remains committed to creating inclusive learning environments that address the holistic development of every child.
She explained that this commitment is reflected in the Ministry’s continued promotion of play-based approaches, particularly at the early childhood level, where play serves as a powerful tool for learning, communication, self-expression and emotional development.
The Permanent Secretary said through partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other valued stakeholders, the Ministry has been advancing the integration of play-based learning within the education system.
“Initiatives such as this therapeutic playroom demonstrate how play can be intentionally used to support children’s social-emotional development while fostering confidence, creativity and resilience,” Dr. Troupe stated.
The Permanent Secretary expressed appreciation to Food For the Poor Jamaica for its partnership and commitment to improving the lives of Jamaican children, while also commending the Sandals Foundation for providing the primary funding for the initiative.
She noted that the Foundation’s investment in therapeutic playrooms at Granville Primary and Infant School, Irwin Primary School and Port Maria Primary and Infant School, reflects a strong commitment to children’s well-being and development.
Dr. Troupe further argued that partnerships among the Government, private sector and development organisations continue to demonstrate what can be achieved when all stakeholders work together in the best interests of Jamaica’s children.
Child Welfare Consultant, Dr. Claudette Crawford-Brown, who led the design and implementation of the therapeutic playrooms, said the specialised spaces are intended to provide children with developmentally appropriate interventions that support their emotional and psychological well-being.
She informed that the rooms are equipped with specialised therapeutic resources and are designed to help trained guidance counsellors identify children’s emotional needs and provide support before challenges become lifelong problems.
Meanwhile, Principal of Granville Primary and Infant School, Avis Williams, welcomed the addition of the therapeutic playroom, noting that it will provide students with a safe environment where they can express themselves, heal, build resilience and develop positive social and emotional skills.
“We recognise that education goes beyond academics. The emotional well-being of our children is equally important, and this facility stands as a testament to that belief,” Mrs. Williams said.
She thanked the Ministry of Education, Food For the Poor Jamaica, the Sandals Foundation, and Child Welfare Consultant Dr. Claudette Crawford-Brown, for their support in bringing the project to fruition.
The therapeutic play initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emotional and psychosocial support services within schools by providing dedicated spaces where students can receive developmentally appropriate interventions in a safe, nurturing environment.
