Special Schools

Admission to Special Schools

Placement Procedures for Schools for the Mildly Mentally Challenged

Learners who are no longer coping in the main stream of education or the so-called “slow learners” are referred to special classes or special schools where they will receive vocational education.

School principals and educators are advised to identify learners who experience barriers to learning as early as possible. The criteria for placement in special education involves basically the following:

the learner must have repeated a grade at least once and is (in the majority of the cases) going to repeat for a 2nd time the chronological age of the learner is 1 to 2 years above the rest of the learners the cognitive functioning of the learner is below average

The school principal has the responsibility to refer such a learner per form MED 3 (Referral of learners with specialised educational needs) to the Regional Office for Inclusive Education.

Once a learner has been recommended for placement in special education the following documentation must be forwarded to Head Office:

MED 1 (to be completed by the Regional Co-Ordinator for Inclusive Education) (1 COPY)
MED 2 (Application for placement in a special school/class – to be signed by parent/guardian) (1 COPY)
MED 3 (report from the school as mentioned above) (2 COPIES)

An official placement number (MOA number) will then be awarded by Head Office to each learner recommended for placement in special education or a special school. A file for each learner placed in special education is opened and the learner’s name is added to the database.

2. Inclusive Support Classes (Special Classes)

Currently there are 26 inclusive support classes functioning in Mpumalanga Dept. Education. Learners are placed in these classes according to the criteria as mentioned above. They follow an adapted curriculum and in the year of turning 13, they are admitted at a special school for mildly mentally challenged learners.

3. Special Schools (MMH Learners)

These learners are admitted at the age of 13. The course covers 5 years with the effect that they receive a certificate at the age of 18. Half of the school day is spent on academic work on the other 50% on technical/vocational/practical training in the different centres.

First & Second year

These years are also called Orientation 1 & 2 – the learners are introduced to the various courses/industries available

Third, Fourth & Fifth year

During these years training takes place in the specific course that was chosen. A good foundation is set for further training at a firm or an institution.

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Placement Procedures in Schools for Learners with Multiple Disabilities

There are 11 special schools in Mpumalanga who makes provision for learners with multiple disabilities. These disabilities or special needs include:

Severely mentally challenged

Epileptic

Cerebral palsied

Physical disabled

Hard of hearing

Artially sighted

Blind

Deaf

Autistic

Learners placed in these schools must wherever possible be assessed by personnel from the Inclusive sub-directorate of the Regional Offices or private professionals which include, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, medical practitioners etc.

These learners are exempted from compulsory school attendance before placement in a special school takes place. Parent to sign MED 4 (1 Copy).The learner is also awarded an official placement number (MOA number).

Schools that accommodate multiple disabilities are:

5. Schools of Industry & Reform Schools

It is recommended that these schools be transformed into Youth Care & Education Centres without changing the nature of the school. These schools are maintained for the admission, care, education and training of learners sent or transferred to the school in terms of the Child Care Act and the Criminal Procedure Act. The main aim of these institutions is effective therapeutic and developmental programmes for emotionally and/or behaviourally troubled young people (including those in trouble with the law).

5.1 Schools of Industry

George Hofmeyer (Standerton)

Vaalrivier (Standerton)

Vikelwa (Ogies)

5.2 Reform School

Ethokomala (Kinross)

The contact persons for above-mentioned schools are: