Expertise centrum Saba

The EC2 team works with and for pupils of 3-24 years old who experience issues with behavior, learning, communication, physical, and/or social-emotional development. They can be enrolled in the Laura Linzey Daycare Center (LLDC), the Sacred Heart Primary School (SHS), the Saba Comprehensive School (SCS), or the Social Opportunity Pathway for Youngsters (SKJ). The total number of students on Saba is approximately 300. 

When a school’s Care Coordinator requests our assistance, EC2 can:

-        Offer ambulatory guidance to the teacher and possibly parents of a student with a specific need;

-        Offer specialized, supportive activities to students with special needs during and after school;

-        Facilitate professionalization of stakeholders within the school;

-        Observe the student and give recommendations;

-        Perform action-oriented diagnostics with practical tips for home and school;

-        Support the parents at home;

-        Give counseling to the student;

-        Facilitate and demonstrate the shift from curriculum-centered to student-centered teaching /learning;

-        Develop a guidance plan and progress report per term for each student in our care;

-        Invite parents and care Coordinator to discuss the reports twice a year: in January and June.

It is important to know that the legal guideline aims for students to follow education in their peer group as much as possible. Although a student may come for sessions at EC2 regularly, he or she is registered with the school and spends most time there. First goal is therefore always to empower the teacher. 

The  team of EC2 is one of the three winners of the  Appeltjes van Oranje 2021. The Apples  are awarded annually by the OranjeFonds (www.oranjefonds.nl) to three social initiatives that ensure that people can participate in society. This year, the Appeltjes went to three institutions that are committed to contribute to mental strength.

We won this award for the "Ways to Wellbeing" initiative, which contributes to participation of all children in education on Saba by making them more resilient. Some kids may be vulnerable because of: trauma after the hurricane, poverty issues, family displacement, Corona pandemic, isolation, bullying, or learning disabilities.

The use of positive teaching strategies and tailor-made programs enables students to follow regular education as much as possible, in the absence of special facilities for this target group.