As the department of education in KwaZulu-Natal, we take a dim view of the sensational and misleading article “No place for disabled children in KZN rural schools”.
The headline of the article is misleading because it is factually incorrect to say that there is “no place for disabled children” in the province.
In the district of uMkhanyakude, where the journalist got her information from, there are three special schools. In one of our most rural districts, Sisonke, there are four special schools. In the uThungulu district, which is largely rural and which is next to uMkhanyakude, there are five special schools.
So, to say there is no place for disabled children in our rural districts is mischievous; it is aimed at casting aspersions on the department’s efforts in catering for pupils with special needs.
This year alone, the MEC for education in the province, Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, opened two new special schools, one in uMkha-nyakude and the other in the uThungulu district. Besides the special schools in uMkhanyakude, there are also nine full-service schools that also cater for children with disabilities.
The journalist should have made mention of that fact.
The province has 73 special schools and 101 full-service schools. The department continues to strengthen the implementation of inclusive education to do away with all barriers, physical and psychological, that prevent pupils from realising their potential because of their physical and/or mental conditions. – Sihle Mlotshwa, media manager, KwaZulu-Natal department of education