Update: Gauteng MEC Lesufi thanks educators at Ecaleni LSEN School – first autism school in the township
TEMBISA – The MEC visited the school to raise awareness about autism but also thanked educators of Ecaleni LSEN for their tireless work and passion to help autistic children.
Update, 12.30pm
Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi arrived at Ecaleni LSEN School in Tembisa – the first autism school in the township. He said that when he became MEC he was alarmed about the fact that there was not even one school in the township dedicated to autistic children in Gauteng.
Lesufi said he knew things had to change and is now proud to say that, during his term of office, he has increased the number of government autism schools from two to 27 in the province.
MEC @Lesufi talking about resistance encountered from some community members on establishment of @EducationGP Ecaleni LSEN school #AutismAwareness pic.twitter.com/kJPXQelntm
— Steve Mabona (@Steve_Mabona) April 26, 2019
The MEC thanked the educators of Ecaleni LSEN school. “It takes a special kind of person to take care of these children. These are not third-class children, they are first-class children, they deserve all of our love. ”
MEC @Lesufi on first Autism school in the Township @EducationGP @Lesufi #AutismAwareness pic.twitter.com/l7uK2bBkiL
— Steve Mabona (@Steve_Mabona) April 26, 2019
A Parent of an Autistic child at Ecaleni plead for understanding and tolerance of their children, these children need love nothing else @EducationGP @Lesufi pic.twitter.com/3Sin98aSbj
— Steve Mabona (@Steve_Mabona) April 26, 2019
MEC @Lesufi interacting with parents , educators and learners @EducationGP Ecaleni LSEN School #AutismAwareness pic.twitter.com/HkINrBmyaK
— Steve Mabona (@Steve_Mabona) April 26, 2019
Initial Report, 26 April, 07.50am
Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi will be visiting Ecaleni LSEN School in Tembisa as part of Autism Awareness Day. It is the first autism school to be established by the department in the township.
Spokesperson for the MEC, Steve Mabona said that Lesufi is passionate about learners with special needs and has played a significant role in advocating for them to be prioritised by the department.
Autism Awareness Day was marked 2 April, a day which hopes to empower parents and the public with information on autism and how to raise and support children who suffer from the disorder.
Lesufi said, “Learners with special needs must not be treated as third-class citizens, as a result, adequate resources must always be allocated to them. I am happy and proud that we reduced a five-year waiting period to six months by building more schools to accommodate learners with special needs.”
The MEC is set to arrive at the school at 8am.
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