Question NW1550 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
05 July 2021 - NW1550
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What are the reasons that her department has denied Lihle Tshenollo Mashiya, a four-year-old autistic child who is staying in house number 4642 Section B, Bronkhorspruit in Mpumalanga, access to a school that caters for learners with special educational needs?
Reply:
As Bronkhorstspruit is located in Gauteng Province and falls under the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and not the Mpumalanga Department of Education (MPDoE), the Department of Basic Education referred the enquiry to both Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). Both PEDs have reported that they do not have any record of the referral of Lihle Tshenollo Mashiya for admission.
It should be noted that Lihle Tshenello Mashiya is four years old, and at the moment the responsibility for Early Childhood Development (ECD) resides with the Department of Social Development. If the full details of the learner are provided, the DBE will liaise with the Department of Social Development to see how best the child can be assisted.