Where there is life there is hope
With the five children being held captive in their house in Springs for over a decade still fresh in our memories, many allegations were made about their education.
These children allegedly underwent IQ tests and personality tests last week, to determine whether they are ready for school.
The tests were allegedly done by the department of social development to determine if the children will adapt in mainstream or remedial education.
After the arrest of these children’s 36-year-old father, three weeks ago, the children and their mother have been placed in separate places of safety.
Although these allegations have not been confirmed, it raises some concerns about the well-being of these children.
In a telephone interview with a Springs remedial school psychologist (who does not have any connection to this case and has asked to remain anonymous), she claims the evaluation on the 11-year-old and 16-year-old children will not be that easy.
These children might, she theorises, be evaluated by a clinical psychologist as well as a psychiatrist to determine their intellect and emotional behaviour.
But for the three younger children aged one, two and four-years-old, it will be much easier as occupational and speech therapy can be used to determine the problem areas.
Bonding therapy might be another option, but she comments that therapists might rather focus on their emotional state instead of their education.
“Whatever the situation may be, where there is life, there is hope,” she said.
