The National PTA has voiced its support for isolation rooms in schools.

Government last week confirmed that a "time-out'' room -- to be carpeted and possibly furnished with soft couches, chairs, and balls -- will be set up at Dellwood and "eventually'' other schools as a part of the Island's education reform.

Education officials said the room -- which will be closely monitored -- is just one of several options to help teachers deal with students with behavioural disorders.

National PTA spokesperson Wendy Augustus told The Royal Gazette on Friday: "As a body we don't have a problem with the isolation rooms.

"We feel it is just another tool which teachers have to work with when dealing with children with behavioural problems.'' Support for the rooms stood in contrast to statements by Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith who questioned the origin and rationale behind the plan.

She pointed out that neither Government, in its original plans for middle schools, nor the Education Planning Team -- which came up with recommendations for education reform in 1987 -- mentioned isolation rooms.

But Education Minister Jerome Dill said the idea was not a new one.

"Our records indicate that as of September, 1992 that was the position that our Ministry in conjunction with Works and Engineering had decided,'' he said.

Mr. Dill also argued that the origin of the idea for such rooms should not be an issue.

"The EPT did not include any building specifications,'' he pointed out. "The EPT did not mention counselling rooms where counselling can take place.

"But if you have a child with a behavioural problem, which is a disability, the last think you want to do is interact with that child in a noisy environment.'' The room, education officials noted, would give students with severe behaviour disorders an opportunity and place to calm down, if they became upset.

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