Limpopo Education MEC Mavhungu
Lerule-Ramakhanya accompanied by Executive Mayor of Vhembe, Cllr Freda Nkondo
and Local Mayor of Makhado, Cllr Dorcus Mboyi, today gathered for the launch of
Inclusive Education held at Thsilwavhusiku Special School, Vhembe West District
after Minister Angie Motshekga has proclaimed 2024 as the year of Inclusive
Education and Mathematics.
The right of every child to access quality
education is enshrined in South Africa’s constitution. The Department of
Education has paid specific attention to how children with barriers to
learning, including disabilities may be assessed to determine the levels of
support needed to maximize opportunities for success in mainstream classrooms.
Inclusive Education is the need to celebrate
diversity among our learners and encourages the creation of welcoming cultures
in schools and ensuring participation of all learners so that they are all
valued and they are all made to feel they belong.
Limpopo has 35 Special Schools and by 2030, the
name "Special School" will be a thing of the past. Every learner will
get to attend the school of their choice. Up to so far, the Department has
managed to train over 500 educators, preparing them for this Inclusion
Education.
The Inclusive Education System aims to close
all the gaps of marginalisation in the provision of education during the
pre-1994 era. Learners with barriers to learning were either not supported,
given irrelevant support, or referred for admission at Special Schools without
outlining their support needs. This resulted in some learners dropping out of
school, others being admitted in the wrong Special Schools or progressed
indiscriminately.
Additionally, Inclusive Education intended to
support those dedicated teachers who work to create inclusive educational
environments in which all learners who can attain knowledge, skills, attitude
and values that will better their lives.
“I encourage parents and guardians to take
their children to special schools as the schools are fit and capacitated to
care for the learners. I also plead to communities to take time to support and
understand learners with disabilities. To show that these learners are not
different, for the past five years in the Grade 12 result learners with special
education needs have been performing very well. Tshilwavhusiku is one of the
schools that should have special clinical and psychological support. All schools should implement Screening,
Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy, whether public ordinary
schools, Full-Service Schools, Special Schools, and Independent Schools. No
Learner is left behind, that is what "Every Learner Matters" means”,
said MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya.
MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya, Executive Mayor of Vhembe, Cllr Freda Nkondo
and Makhado Local Mayor, Cllr Dorcus Mboyi
handed over 50 dignity packs to the learners with the following items
inside:
Body lotion, Bath soap, washing soap,
toothpaste, toothbrush,
roll-on, body spray, sanitary pads, shoe
polish, facecloth, carry bags and school shoes.
#2024 - The Year of Academic Excellence.
For media queries:
Mr. Matome Taueatsoala
MEC’s Media Liaison Officer (MLO)
060 980 6340
Ms. Mosebjane Kgaffe
Departmental Spokesperson (Acting)
082 881 4933
Issued by Communication Services, Limpopo
Department of Education.
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