The Gauteng MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi opened eight newly built classrooms at the Randburg Clinic School.
The new classrooms were unveiled on April 2, simultaneously with the commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day.
“We gave money and said go and expand. We gave money like any other school that we have given money to. Within the shortest possible period, within budget, they added eight new classrooms in this particular school,” Lesufi told parents and other stakeholders at the school.
He said the completion of the project within a short period signifies leadership. “They didn’t go and fight for tenders, they didn’t go and fight for who is my friend who can come and build here. They didn’t fight for small things, they produced classrooms.”
He assured the parents of the autistic learners who are studying at the school that although it may not be a battle, they should know that they were not alone. “We know each and every child is different, we know each and every child is not the same. Therefore, we might struggle with our curriculum but the quality is the same and everyone must be touched with the manner and everything that we are doing in our school.”
Lesufi said they were not opening the school to ‘babysit’ or for the children to be guided just to survive – children must learn. “We want to impart knowledge so that they can be part of the skills revolution of our country. These children under my leadership will not be confined to being switchboard operators. We will produce good people who will come out of this particular sector.”
The purpose of the commemoration was to raise awareness about autism and emphasise the need to accept individuals with autism as an integral part of society and improve their quality of life as April is Autism Awareness Month.
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