28 Feb 2013

The Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Patrick Masimolole has told Parliament that Boteti Sub-district primary schools do not have special units.

He said when learners with special needs were identified, they were assessed and placed in mainstream primary schools with an individualised education plan. Mr Masimolole said this entailed assessing learners to appreciate their individual learning needs and offering appropriate support.

The assistant minister indicated that for learners with multiple and severe disabilities, the ministry started national block training workshops to give learners and young people with disabilities skills for their livelihood and survival.

Parliament heard that the programme targeted special needs learners who had stayed for a long time in special education units and out of school youth with disability.

The assistant minister said in 2011, this programme graduated 59 learners nationally while in 2012, some  92 learners graduated.

He said after completing the training, the learners were handed over to the rehabilitation programme at the ministry of health and to institutions run by non-governmental organisations for further development and support.

Mr Masimolole highlighted that his ministry supported non-governmental organisations, which provided education to learners with disabilities through a subvention and monitoring of programmes." Learners who could not be assisted in mainstream schools are sent to these institutions," he added.

MP for Boteti North, Mr Slumber Tsogwane had asked the minister if he was aware that the primary schools in Boteti Sub-district did not have a programme for disabled students. He also wanted to know when at least one learning institution for students  with disability would be established. ENDS