The Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) is calling for the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information to accelerate educational assessments for children experiencing developmental and learning challenges, particularly those believed to be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health crises.

The appeal follows a report published in The Observer highlighting concerns that so-called "pandemic babies" are contributing to increased demand for inclusive classrooms, especially in Kingston and St Andrew, St James and Westmoreland.

In a statement yesterday, the foundation pointed to comments from Assistant Chief Education Officer in the Special Education Unit, Dionne Gayle-Smart, who indicated that increases in developmental conditions may be associated with outbreaks of the chikungunya virus, Zika virus and, more recently, COVID-19.