Mainstream schools must also help

THE Mpumalanga department of education says it cannot have special needs schools in every town but relies on inclusive education, where mainstream schools must also admit children with special education needs.

Department spokesman Jasper Zwane told Sowetan yesterday the province only had 18 special needs schools which were located in all the four districts: Bohlabela, Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala.

He said in Gert Sibande district, where Daggakraal falls, there are six special needs schools.

“The department is implementing inclusive education, however, there are plans to expand spaces in the existing special schools for learners who require moderate to high levels of support. Since 2010, a total of eight schools have been upgraded,” said Zwane.

He said if children had never attended school, they could not be placed at a special needs school before a proper screening and assessment process.

This would be to ascertain their challenges and only then can a multidisciplinary education team say where they needed to be placed.

He urged the public to report children of school-going age who were out of school – whether they were disabled or not – to the department.

Zwane said there were medium- to long-term plans to expand spaces in the existing special needs schools to cater for more pupils.