The values set out in the Constitution have established a fundamentally different social, political, legal and economic order from apartheid. Under apartheid policies, schools that accommodated white learners with disabilities were systematically resourced. Black learners with disabilities were under-resourced. Learners with disabilities in special schools existed and were limited to admitting learners according to rigidly applied criteria.
The impact of these policies were only 20% of learners with disabilities were accommodated in special schools. In the year 2019, there were 501 schools for children with special needs, including 54 independent schools. This gives a clear indication that the ANC-led government is determined to create an inclusive education and training system. However even the efforts of government are not sufficient to meet the requirements of children with special needs.
The ANC believes that a united and cohesive society requires that we end the exclusion, segregation and marginalisation experienced by persons with disabilities. It is the responsibility of every one of us to ensure that every child with disability is in school. We must include this responsibility in our constituency work as Members of Parliament.
In its policies, the Department of Basic Education takes school safety seriously and as an apex priority. The department has put in place the various policy measures to ensure the safety of all learners, educators and relevant stakeholders in schools.
According to the policies, there is no place for violence, drug abuse, sexual harassment and other criminal acts in schools as they pose a serious barrier to learning. The department places great focus on the inculcations of values and ethics and of just and caring society within the schools and communities.
The report of Human Rights Commission on the lack of safety and security measures in schools for children with disabilities in South Africa raises serious concerns about the lack of safety in some schools. The portfolio committee initiated and called a meeting to receive a briefing and engage the SA Human Rights Commission report by the following stakeholders.
As the ANC we appreciate the information provided by the department which shows the steps taken a demonstrated commitment to an inclusive education system and the reasonable accommodation. We are particularly pleased that the department is committed to the enrolment of learners in special schools per province, enrolment of learners with disabilities in public ordinary schools more equitable distribution of special schools. As the ANC, we welcome the department's commitment ...