Question NW2847 to the Minister of Basic Education
20 December 2021 - NW2847
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the total staff component at the (i) Helen Franz and (ii) Tshilidzini Special Schools in Limpopo and (b)(i) number of vacancies are there currently in each school, (ii) for how long have the vacancies existed and (iii) by what date is it anticipated that the specified vacancies will be filled; whether there are any therapists at the specified schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; on what date (a) did she last undertake an oversight visit to the schools to ensure that our learners with special needs are being catered for appropriately and (b) does she intend to report the findings of her oversight visit to the schools to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education?
Reply:
1(a) (i)(ii) and 1(b)(1). The table below shows the information on the staff component of all non-teaching posts including professional staff (Therapists, Social Workers and Nurses)
|
School Name |
Number of posts-1 (a)(i)(ii) |
Vacant -1(b) (I) |
|
Helene Franz Special School |
78 |
32 |
|
Tshilidzini Special School |
109 |
50 |
1(b) (ii) The vacancies reported have accumulated since 2015, which was the last time posts were filled at both schools.
1(b)(iii) 36 posts for special schools targeted for learners with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability have been advertised for filling with effect from 01/04/2022. Some of the posts, once filled, will offer services to the two schools. Furthermore, 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.
- There is currently one (1) Therapist post filled at Tshilidzini Special School with 11 vacant, and none at Helene Franz Special School with two (2) vacant. Both schools are currently receiving therapeutic support provided by Therapists appointed through the Learners with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disability grant.
- There are no recorded oversight visits to the specific schools at national level.