KaMagugu Inclusive School, giving special-needs children the best start in life
The school is the only one in the area which caters for special-needs children.
MBOMBELA – Acting principal Andries Scholtz recently gave Lowvelder a tour of KaMagugu Inclusive school. The school, which first opened 18 years ago, caters for the educational needs of learners who are severely intellectually disabled.
In many cases these learners will also have a number of other disabilities. Some learners are physically disabled, deaf or partially sighted while others have been diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD or ADD.
At KaMagugu the learners are not grouped into grades. Instead, they are divided into classes according to their age and the severity of their intellectual disabilities.
Read more: KaMagugu Inclusive learners injured in taxi accident.
The school also works closely with local businesses to give the learners who excel the opportunity to apply the skills which they have learned. This happens every Friday.
Read more: Schools for kids with disabilities – where are they?
There is also a wide selection of extramural activities for learners to participate in. These include sports activities such as the annual Special Olympics, and cultural activities including a marimba band, the annual Eisteddfod and the annual concert.
This year the concert will be held at the Mbombela Civic Theatre from September 13 to 16.According to Scholtz, one of the major issues which the school faces is limited space.
“There is a huge waiting list to get into the school. Consequently there is a massive need for more space to construct additional classrooms.”
As an organisation, the school welcomes all businesses and individuals who wish to offer sponsorships or volunteer services. For all Enquiries: 013-748-0016.
