Parents and teachers gathered outside Inkanyiso Special School last week to protest against ongoing funding issues, hoping to draw the government’s attention to their grievances.

According to those involved, the school received only the first tranche of its annual funding earlier this year, with no subsequent payments from the Department of Education. A teacher, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed frustration at the situation.

“We are really being failed by our department. Working with children who have special needs comes with its own challenges – it’s not easy. We are locking the gates because government is neglecting us when it comes to funding and employing staff members. The government must work with us, release the funds and hire more people to care for the children. This is not about us as teachers or parents – it’s about the children,” the teacher said.
During the protest, parents and teachers sang outside the locked school gates, vowing not to re-open them until government responds to their concerns.

An official from the Department of Education met with the group and assured them that their complaints would be reviewed. Similar demonstrations reportedly took place at other special needs schools across the province.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.