KZN Legislature members visit special needs schools in Port Shepstone
Special needs schools are expected to become resource centres for mainstream and full-service schools.
As part of a school functionality monitoring programme, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature led by members of parliament, Mbali Frazer and MEC Mbali Shinga, visited Ithongasi Primary and St Martin De Porres schools last Friday.
This year’s programme focuses on visiting schools that provide education to learners with special needs. The programme began at Ithongasi, which is a full service school in KwaNzimakwe.
Frazer added since the introduction of the inclusive education model, special schools are expected to become resource centres for mainstream and full-service schools.
“It is an undisputed fact that special schools need to be strengthened so that they can offer quality education under good conditions for their own learners before they can support other schools.”
St Martin’s principal Dion Davey said it’s a great opportunity and that it has come at the best time, as a learner Amahle Ngidi who matriculated in 2025, came second in the country for Sign language.
Davey also mentioned that the school has maintain a 100% matric pass rate over the last four years.
Media Liaison for the legislature, Wesley Canham, said that it is anticipated that soon all special schools should serve as resource centres for other schools.
“The special role they must play in the mainstream is to promote full development, human potential, sense of dignity and self-worth, and strengthen human rights, fundamental freedoms and human diversity. It will also promote inclusion and participation of all learners in all academic, social and sporting activities in the school as well as involve parents and the community in the life and services of the school.”
Canham said research shows that many factors hinder special schools’ progress towards achieving resource centre status, especially those built in rural areas and townships before 1990.
“It has been argued that the best-resourced special schools are in urban areas, where they can attract the best-qualified specialists and access better materials and assistive devices.”
He concluded that it is for this reason that this year’s school functionality monitoring programme focuses on specialised schools.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
