In order to produce an inclusive quality education, all hands need to be on deck. These are words by Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule who spoke at an Interprovincial outreach programme event which was held at Learamele Special School in Mothibistad, Northern Cape.
Aimed at fostering skills development and support special needs learners to contribute positively to the community, the outreach programme is a collaboration between the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Department of Correctional Services and other stakeholders. It is a continuation of an Inclusive Education policy developed by the DBE which states that all children who are old enough to attend school and are experiencing learning barriers, should be able to access inclusive, quality, free, primary and secondary education in the same way that other young people in the communities do.
Mhaule encouraged parents to participate in the school’s affairs and work together with the School Governing Body (SGB). She urged them to attend school meetings and to do regular school visits to follow up on their children’s academic performances and behavior.
“Parents, we need your support. Without you we will not be able to run education. We need you to be active. Your children need to know that their parents are active and present. That will prevent them from getting into trouble,” Mhaule said
The outreach included teaching the learners how to plant and maintain their plants.
Vincent Machaka who represented Liberty Financial Services, said that the planting activity will play a huge role in the learners lives as a whole and not only at school. He said the organisation prides itself with their three principles which are ‘Imagine it’s possible, act with humanity and do what matters,’ which according to Machaka is how the outreach was conducted.
“It takes a village to raise a child. This is an indication that when we are united, we can achieve more. As we are here, we showed that we care about the community and we would like to see it grow,” Machaka said.
A representative for the Road Accident Fund, Noluthando Mvabaza, described their relationship with the Department of Education as a ‘solid marriage’. She said that her organisation goes beyond just paying claims to individuals that are involved in car accidents and that it wants to contribute to the communities of those people.