The government is auditing the country's educational system to determine how many students have learning disorders and special needs, but Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald estimated that 25 percent of them are in this category.
The audit will also determine how many teachers are equipped to instruct students with special needs.
Fitzgerald held a press conference at the Ministry of Education yesterday to release a manual called the National Standards for Inclusive Education.
The document is meant to be a resource for teachers and relevant agencies to help them ensure that special needs students have their needs met in the educational system.
"We do not see this document as a panacea to address years of deficiencies in the area of special education; however, we do see it as a part of a multifaceted approach to make a difference in the lives of thousands of students denied their right to a quality education in this country," Fitzgerald said.
Starting early next year, teachers will take part in professional workshops conducted at Our Lady's Diagnostic Centre by the ministry's special services and education units.
"The Professional Development Institute at the Mabel Walker Primary School will also play an integral role in the ongoing training of public and private school teachers in inclusive education," Fitzgerald said.
In September, Prime Minister Perry Christie said the government is confronted with the problem of how to design public policies to benefit people with special needs and learning disabilities that can be implemented across the country.
At the time, he urged researchers at The College of The Bahamas to use its resources to get data on the number of residents with disabilities so it can be used to influence public policy.
"Every child in this country must be [afforded] the right to participate in the equity or the resources of the country," Christie said.
"When you share out the resources in education, there must be facilities for that child and those facilities must be adapted to ensure that the child is able to have the opportunity similar to the other children."
Christie also said the government has identified an area on Gladstone Road for the construction of a facility for adults with disabilities.
"[It will be] a facility where special kids who have grown up will be able to go, will be kept while their parents and caretakers go to work, will even be able to spend a night if they have to," he said in September.

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