Child needs special educational needs school

Every parent wishes only the best for their children, but that is not the case with a Phola mother after her child had an accident.

Ms Mumsy Matemane’s daughter had an accident in September 2013 and from then onwards she has had no peace.
The child was a learner at Ogies Combined School doing Grade 1 and the following year she was told the child could not cope.

The teachers asked for the child to be assessed and after she was assessed by a doctor, Ms Matemane was told that her daughter needed to go to a school with a special educational needs unit (Learner with Special Educational Need- LSEN) and only Tasbet Park has that unit so she went there and was told there was no space for Dineo; that was in 2015. Even though her contact number was not taken, she was told that she would be contacted when space became available.

Ms Matemane looked for an alternative space and found one at Taalfees School but was later told that the class would be closed at the end of the year as it does not have enough children; that was in 2016. She went back to Tasbet Park and was told that there was no space for her daughter and that they could not make any promises. She is presently at home with her child with little hope of getting her into school. The future does not look good and she is greatly concerned.

Pastor Chippa Mtsweni of Waya Waya Community Movement said the regional department of education lacks vision and proper programmes for children with special needs. He added that the department of education need to make available more resources as no township schools have the LSEN unit and the need to have such schools in the townships was urgent.

“We have more than 60 schools which are served by only one psychologist. Township schools are faced with many challenges; we lack leaders with a vision. We need to empower our black children and transform their schools to be proper learning centres. The department need to set up programmes in partnership with the department of social development. We call upon parents to stand up for their children and have an educational forum and a dialogue with the department of education and other stakeholders where such issues would be discussed. We will also come with proposals and solutions to some of the challenges. Something needs to be done and now,” explained Pastor Mtsweni.

A questionnaire was sent to the department of education and no response was received.

ALSO READ:

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/16844/special-treatment-audeamus/

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/11788/official-hand-thanduxolo-special-school/