“The fact that there are gaps in the existing facilities was highlighted during a recent sitting of the Gauteng Education Portfolio Committee.
“During this time, a father from Tembisa related how there are no facilities close to his home for his autistic son,” says Alan Fuchs, member of the DA Gauteng Education Committee.
He says that in the portfolio committee, the DA vigorously supported a focused intervention into the dynamics related to Special Needs schools in the province.
“I asked the committee to broaden the scope of the investigation to include a determination of the total demand for Special Needs schooling.”
He says that if the department has a clear view of the demand, they will be better placed to plan for new schools and facilities into the future and thereby manage waiting lists for existing facilities.
A report from the department indicated that there are 43 849 learners with special needs in 137 schools in Gauteng.
“Of these learners, 11 191 are categorised as having a mild or moderate mental handicaps, 9 405 are severely handicapped and 7 034 have specific learning disabilities.”
A budget of R1.8-billion has been set aside this year for special needs public schools.
“This is definitely a step in the right direction, but a more integrated approach must be taken to ensure that no child with special needs is denied appropriate schooling in this province,” says Fuchs. – @CarmenBoksburg
