FB drive for special needs children

ELSEN Academy director Philippa Fabbri has taken it upon herself to bridge the gap between desperate parents struggling to find placement for their special needs children and the Department of Education.

Through the launch of her new Facebook page, “No Limits in Learning”, Fabbri hopes to build a database of children awaiting placement at Education for Learners with Special Education Needs (Elsen) schools and assist in fast-tracking the process through her relationships in the sector and the department, built up over 15 years as director of the academy.

“These parents [of special needs children] feel powerless most of the time. There are about 3 000-odd pupils in the province waiting to be placed. And it is a constant struggle to get your child placed, if you are not at the department on a daily basis fighting for a space, your file tends to be forgotten,” Fabbri said.

Adding that the Facebook page would also provide a platform for parents of the special needs children to air their concerns and views as well as being used as a forum to drive change in the sector.