Africa-Press – South-Africa. The DA accused the Limpopo government of failing to act on its own report, which was compiled three years ago regarding the appalling status of special schools in the province.
The report – seen by News24 – was compiled by the directorate of curriculum support services in the education department. It was presented and deliberated upon by the provincial cabinet.
It highlighted the terrible conditions pupils had to endure on a daily basis at the 34 special schools across the province.
Lack of sanitation, dilapidated infrastructure and hostel facilities, a shortage of critical staff and the lack of transport were some of the challenges, according to the report.
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There are 305 vacancies from the 2018/19 financial year, which have not yet been filled.
The DA’s Katlego Phala told News24 the party had written to the provincial director-general, Nape Nchabeleng, in January this year to enquire about the progress with regard to the report.
The letter, though, remained unanswered.
“Our oversight visit to special schools over the past years showed there had not been progress. The education department undertook to fill critical vacant posts in the 2018/19 financial year as part of its interventions, but this remains unfilled.
Phala said:
However, the provincial government’s spokesperson, Ndavhe Ramakuela, said a formal response to the DA’s letter would be sent.
He said the problem of staffing cut across the education department and “such have received attention from time to time, including advertising and filling of vacant positions”.
“Currently, the department has advertised 35 therapists posts of the Outreach Team. Each team comprised speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, an educational psychologist and a senior education specialist to provide appropriate support to learners – and suitable candidates are expected to assume duty in the new financial year,” Ramakuela said.
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