MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya officially launches inclusive education

Limpopo Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya on Monday launched Inclusive Education at Tshilwavhusiku Special School, Vhembe West District. She was accompanied by the Executive Mayor of Vhembe, Freda Nkondo and the Local Mayor of Makhado, Dorcus Mboyi.

This comes after Minister Angie Motshekga proclaimed 2024 as the year of Inclusive Education and Mathematics.

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“The right of every child to access quality education is enshrined in South Africa’s constitution,” said the department.

“The Department of Education has paid specific attention to children with barriers to learning. Including disabilities may be assessed to determine the levels of support needed to maximize opportunities for success in mainstream classrooms.

“Inclusive Education is the need to celebrate diversity among our learners and encourage the creation of welcoming cultures in schools and ensuring participation of all learners so that they are all valued and they are all made to feel they belong,” they said.

“Limpopo has 35 Special Schools and by 2030, the name “Special School” will be a thing of the past. Every learner will get to attend the school of their choice. Up to so far, the Department has managed to train over 500 educators, preparing them for this Inclusion Education.”

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION LAUNCHED BY LIMPOPO MEC FOR EDUCATION MAVHUNGU LERULE-RAMAKHANYA

“The Inclusive Education System aims to close all the gaps of marginalisation in the provision of education during the pre-1994 era. Learners with barriers to learning were either not supported, given irrelevant support, or referred for admission at Special Schools without outlining their support needs.

“This resulted in some learners dropping out of school, others being admitted in the wrong Special Schools or progressing indiscriminately.”

“Additionally, Inclusive Education intends to support those dedicated teachers. Who work to create inclusive educational environments in which all learners can attain knowledge, skills, attitude and values that will better their lives.”

“I encourage parents and guardians to take their children to special schools as the schools are fit and capacitated to care for the learners,” said MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya.

“I also plead to communities to take time to support and understand learners with disabilities. To show that these learners are not different, for the past five years in the Grade 12 result, learners with special education needs have been performing very well. Tshilwavhusiku is one of the schools that should have special clinical and psychological support.

“All schools should implement Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy. Whether public ordinary schools, Full-Service Schools, Special Schools, and Independent Schools. No Learner is left behind, that is what “Every Learner Matters” means”, she said.

MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya, Executive Mayor of Vhembe, Freda Nkondo and Makhado Mayor Dorcus Mboyi handed over 50 dignity packs to the learners. They had the following items inside: Body lotion, Bath soap, washing soap, toothpaste, toothbrush. Roll-on, body spray, sanitary pads, shoe polish, facecloth, carry bags and also school shoes.