Question NW868 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
05 May 2023 - NW868
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the total number of (a) early childhood development centres for children with special needs in the Republic and (b) trained practitioners for children with special needs in each province?
Reply:
a. There are no specific ECD centres for children with disabilities, but rather a focus on inclusiveness for all children, and as a result children with disabilities are expected to form part of the ECD programmes.
b. In terms of training of ECD practitioners, the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) guides that early learning programmes should be accessible to young children living with disabilities, as set out in the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy as well as in the Children's Act 38 of 2005. This means not only the inclusion of children with disabilities in early learning programmes, but the provision of linkages to other early intervention services to create opportunities for improved access to ECD programmes for all children. Therefore, in line with foregoing, the training provided to practitioners through the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for all levels of ECD qualifications, has a module that deals with children with special needs.
Over and above this, the Department has appointed UHAMBO Foundation which provides training on inclusive practices to ECD practitioners, capacitating them on how to deal with different types of disabilities within their centres.