06 Aug 2026

The Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education says it has put systems in place to recruit support personnel, including caretakers, to assist learners with disabilities who require help with daily living and intimate care while at school.

Responding in Parliament on Wednesday, Assistant Minister Mr Justin Hunyepa said the intervention was meant to ensure learners with high support needs receive assistance within the school setting, rather than relying solely on parents.

”In exceptional cases, a parent or a trusted close relative might be assessed as suitable for recruitment as a caretaker,” Mr Hunyepa said.

He added that such parents or relatives would be required to meet the applicable job description and conditions of service, and would be paid on the B5 salary scale.

The Assistant Minister said the policy was anchored in the Inclusive Education Policy of 2011 and the Revised National Policy on Education of 1994, both of which promote inclusive education for all learners.

He was responding to a question from Shashe West MP, Mr Jeremiah Frenzel, who asked whether the ministry was aware that parents of children with disabilities were expected to be physically present at school to assist with their children’s welfare.

Mr Frenzel also asked if there was a caretaker allowance, given that parents attend to their children’s welfare on a daily basis.

The ministry’s position, Mr Hunyepa said, was to formalise the support role through recruitment, thereby reducing the burden on parents while ensuring learners receive consistent care during school hours.ENDS