Question NW1941 to the Minister of Basic Education
10 December 2024 - NW1941
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What measures are in place to manage costs associated with special needs education while ensuring adequate support for learners with disabilities?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has introduced the Guidelines for Resourcing Inclusive Education, which have been approved by the Council for Education Ministers and are being rolled out to Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). These Guidelines are designed to provide clear direction on the appointment of professional staff and the management of operational costs, ensuring greater uniformity across the system.
To support implementation, the DBE is developing mechanisms for PEDs to report regularly on their progress. Monitoring is already in place through budget and expenditure tracking processes, including the Budget Standard Exercise meetings, where PED spending on inclusive education is reviewed.
The long-term plan is to formalise these Guidelines into a national policy, which would ensure consistent application across all provinces and strengthen the foundation for inclusive education nationwide.