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The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by the Limpopo Department of Education’s consistent failure to fill vacant posts in Helen Franz and Tshilidzini Special Schools to the detriment of learners.

In a response to a written question from the DA, the Department of Basic Education indicated that Helen Franz Special School currently has 32 vacant posts out of 78 posts while Tshilidzini Special School has 50 vacant posts out of 109 non-teaching posts which include professional staff like therapists, social workers and nurses.

The failure to adequately fund and staff these public special schools will result in learners with special needs not being sufficiently supported in their development and not receiving access to a quality education. This will only further increase their vulnerability and reduce their opportunities for employment.

The vacancies at these schools have accumulated since 2015, which was the last time posts were filled at both schools. This is despite commitments to fill vacant posts made in a 2018 Office of the Premier report regarding the state of public special schools in Limpopo.

There is currently one therapist post filled at Tshilidzini Special School with 11 vacant. At Helene Franz Special School not one of the vacant two positions are filled. The two schools are currently receiving therapeutic support provided by therapists appointed through the Learners with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disability (LSPID) grant.

The DA has been raising the issue of understaffed and under resourced special schools in Limpopo since 2016 and it is apparent that special schools are not receiving adequate support from the provincial government.

In the same response, the department indicated that 36 posts for special schools targeted for learners with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability have been advertised for filling with effect from the 1st of April.

It further indicated that 228 additional posts (professional and non-professional) to be distributed to all special schools in the province have been submitted to the Provincial Treasury for approval to be filled during the 2022/23 financial year.

The DA will continue to monitor the progress in the province with regard to this issue. We are committed to ensuring the provision of quality education for our special needs learners in a dignified manner and conducive environment.

Issued by DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Education, Desiree Van der Walt MP