Special school in Nirvana needs help to build more classrooms

POLOKWANE – The Baitul Ilhaam Special Needs and Remedial School in Nirvana welcomes learners with special needs and is calling on the community for support.

The school currently caters for 16 learners but with more parents in the area wanting special care for their children, Baitul Ilhaam would appreciate any type of donations that would help build more classrooms to accommodate more children.

“We keep the fees at a minimal rate and fund the therapy programme and all extras through fundraising initiatives. We are also trying to develop a skills programme in gardening, flower arranging, basic woodwork, sewing and knitting,” school manager Rabia Ismail said.

Rabia said that as part of the non-profit organisation, Bariq Al Amal, they started the school in 2012 with the support from the Nirvana community.

“When we started the school we were approached by a few parents with special needs children and we started a small therapy and stimulation programme. The school programme started when children were not accepted at mainstream schools in the area, and this is where we saw a need in our community to help. We moved to the current premises in 2016 after we were first based at Northern Muslim School. The money for the building was raised by the women of Bariq Al Amal through various fundraising events,” she said.

She further explained that the school takes children between five and 18 years.

“The learners have a full school day together with a gross and fine motor programme. Simple life skills like self-care and hygiene as well as basic cooking skills are covered. We try to accommodate most learners with special needs. Some who require full-time care are able to attend with their caregivers and participate in the therapy programme,” she said.

The school has a complete allied therapy team made up of a speech and hearing therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapy and art teacher who complement staff on a weekly basis and provide all the additional support learners need to achieve success in other areas of learning.

The land for the school was generously donated to the school by the Polokwane Muslim Trust.

“Nirvana Learning Academy, our neighbouring school, gives our learners opportunities to participate in all mainstream activities like sports, concerts and recitals. It also allows us the opportunity to test remedial learners in a mainstream learning environment.”

Interested donors are welcome to get in touch via email: munfusaekika@gmail.com.