By LEDEDRA MARCHE
Senior FN Reporter
lededra@nasguard.com
HizUnHur Cenre, a multi-purpose facility that caters to the educational and computer needs of students from Pre-K through post high school, opened its doors back in February.
Owner Janure Culmer, who has a Masters in varying Exceptionalities and specialty in Special Education, said HizUnHur Centre provides for everyone's education needs.
Having been on the drawing board for more than a year, the idea for the centre came about when Culmer returned to The Bahamas nearly two years ago.
She said she had inquired about homeschooling or continuing education and after not getting an answer she decided to step in and fill that void.
Culmer explained that her degree of expertise allows her to work with students with varying disabilities.
"It could be from a mild disability, to a learning disability or something more severe such as autism – anything across the board – and gifted students as well.
"I know we have some students here who basically can't pass the BGCSE or the requirements to graduate from high school," she said. "I just kind of observed, went around, asked questions and then started something on my own."
After getting feedback from parents who were homeschooling their children and cognizant of the fact that there are some parents who, because of their work schedules, do not have the time they would wish to be able to spend with their children when it comes to homework and studying, she said that that is where HizUnHur was birthed.
"It's a multi-purpose centre. We serve the afterschoolers, students at or above grade level and a resource centre for homeschoolers for kids who need a little more structure," she said.
Students at the centre start from age three with Tiny Tots classes on Saturdays and it offers classes for students who need tailored programs to bring them up to grade level or simply structure.
The centre also provides programs for any student who needs additional help or wants a challenge.
"It also serves as centre for adults who need to become more computer literate, want to freshen up on some skills or continuing Ed classes or certificate courses," she said.
Culmer said the centre also provides assistance with a variety of documents one may need for their business.
The centre is equipped with 20 computers that are Internet ready and have a range of learning software and foreign languages.
The classroom-style area is also outfitted with 10 computers, an interactive whiteboard and individual cubicles while the Internet lounge has another 10 computers and offers user privacy.
The centre is opened from 8:45 a.m. Monday through Saturday until 8:45 p.m. and on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for those with last-minute projects that are due the following day.
"We put it downtown because it is centrally located for the buses and a lot of parents work in the area so it will be easy for them to pick their child up from school, drop their child off here and go back to their work day.
"While they are at work they won't have to worry about what their child is doing, or if homework or their project is being completed," she said.
The centre builds a relationship with the parents who enrol their children and while there are also students who come in to use the computers and surf the Internet, Culmer added that they are monitored.
"There is privacy between each cubicle but we still monitor what is going on at the centre," she said.
Culmer adds that each student receives one-on-one training from herself and three other tutors.
"We have an entire pool of teachers who we will call on when the numbers pick up. But for now we have our homework-assistant staff and our Internet-monitor staff.
