Question NW545 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
08 March 2023 - NW545
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department intends to roll out sight and hearing tests at schools; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) by what date will sight and hearing tests be rolled out at schools?
Reply:
Health services, in schools, are provided by school-health-nurses through the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) as guided by the 2012 ISHP policy.
- According to the ISHP policy, vision and hearing screening are provided in all the school phases (see page 12 of the policy). The ISHP programme emphasises hearing and vision screening in the foundation phase for early detection and support.
- Based on the screening results, learners in need of further assistance are referred to health facility for case management and support e.g. provision of spectacles.