Special learners explore a day in corporate world

POLOKWANE- The first Take a Learner with a Disability to Work 2023 initiative was recently launched by Reakgona Disability Centre (RDC) at the University of Limpopo (UL), to provide learners with special needs corporate world experience and expose them to various career opportunities.

With the aim of teaching these learners the importance of taking their studies seriously and reaching their full potential in order to play a significant role in the economy, the centre invited Setotolwane School for Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) to join the initiative.

Ten learners from LSEN participated in the programme, which was designed for Gr 10 to 12 learners.

They visited several offices of their choice at UL to experience the day-to-day functioning of various types of jobs.

Assistant braille practitioner at RDC, Hellen Makwan said most learners with disabilities are unaware of how the corporate world operates.

“This project will familiarise them with various career opportunities so they can participate actively in the economy after completing their tertiary studies. We want them to explore and know that disability is no longer a barrier because UL has technologies and other needs to cater to them,” she said.

If the centre does not embark on an initiative of this nature, RDC braille practitioner Marisane Moruthanyana emphasised that UL will close its doors to learners with special educational needs. “We need to expose them to the corporate world as early as now,” Moruthanyana said.

LSEN Gr 12 learner Prince Modika said he learned a lot about how to improve his academic performance, after visiting the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE).

“This initiative has been extremely beneficial to us and has been a fantastic adventure. I believe that it will benefit not only me but also my fellow learners,” Modika said.

Another Gr 12 learner, Kgotlelelo Makofane who wants to pursue a career in teaching, said from what she had experienced, UL has almost everything that caters to people with disabilities.

“I’ve learned that UL was designed to cater for everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion or disability.”

RDC director and professor Dikeledi Mahlo, concluded that this project aims to allow the learners to see and experience what the corporate world looks like, particularly in relation to the careers in which they are interested.

“We gave them opportunities to visit the departments where they wanted to work and ask questions about the job requirements.”