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The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo (DA) notes the lack in education displayed this morning by the MEC for Education, Polly Boshielo, during her own Education Indaba.

Boshielo was interrupted by a guest attendee who required a sign language interpreter – a service Boshielo did not provide for at the Indaba at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane.

The DA is not surprised that no provision was made for such a service, because – as the DA has been pointing out for years –  MEC Boshielo has yet to prove that her department can provide dignified and quality education to learners with special needs.

In the 2018 report on the status of public special schools in Limpopo, the Limpopo Department of Education undertook to fill critical vacant posts in the 2018/19 financial year as part of its interventions and this remains unfulfilled.

This is just another example of Boshielo's failure to provide quality education for learners in the province.

During January 2022, at the start of the academic year, Premier Stan Mathabatha and his executive carried out back-to-school visits to assess schools, but sidelined special schools by neglecting to visit them.

Premier Mathabatha further made no reference to special schools during his SOPA this year.

Our special schools are under resourced, dilapidated and most have very poor sanitation facilities. They are a barrier to quality education.

In 2020, the DA voiced our concerns that the hearings conducted by the South African Human Rights Commission and we are eagerly awaiting their report.

The deaf community encounter barriers to participation daily and it is a real shame that MEC Boshielo did not make provision to include all participants of the Indaba equally.

The Education Indaba report states that amongst reasons for drop out, disability is the highest with 24,5 % amongst 7 to 15 year olds.

The DA in Limpopo will continue to champion the rights of all people, including those members of society with special needs.

Issued by Katlego Suzan Phala MPL - DA Provincial Spokesperson for Quality of Life