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A teacher yanked her son’s hearing aid out of his ear, mistaking it for an earbud. It was a harsh lesson for one mom who learned first-hand what happens when schools fail our kids with disabilities

What one mother learned when a teacher ripped out her son’s hearing aid

The national education policy stresses the need to ensure educators have the training and skills to support kids with disabilities, such as hearing loss. But a 2024 study found…

(John McCann/M&G)

Gauteng education department taken to court over special needs learners

Pupils at Filadelfia Secondary School have reported neglect and sexual harassment, but the provincial department has failed to intervene

Ministers will assess progress since the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX 2024) commitment to end learning poverty within a decade, alongside the declarations from last year’s Continental Conference on Education in Mauritania. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Education department failed to build or renovate schools in four provinces in 2023-24 financial year

Education department failed to build or renovate schools in four provinces in 2023-44 financial year

(John McCann/M&G)

We fail children living with disabilities

Despite commendable work and persistent battles, not enough is being done for these learners

Sibabalwe Mkunqwana was amongst the top 30 matric achievers in 2019.

South Africa treats special needs children as an aside

Many children with special needs have never seen the inside of a classroom, as there are no schools where they live that cater to them. It’s extremely disheartening, particularly…

We should reflect on our own responsibilities as a nation to create more equitable and understanding spaces for those who might need them the most

The silent struggle of special needs students in South Africa

A special education teacher’s reflections on teaching demonstrate that a nationwide effort is needed to ensure no learner is left behind

Hannelie Louw, ES Le Grange School, North West

Excellence in Special Needs Teaching

‘Words cannot describe the emotions experienced by both learner and educator when a basic skill has been mastered’

Graphic: John McCann

Blind schooling in ‘shocking’ state

It’s a national shame: our visually impaired children face appalling learning conditions.

No place for disabled children in KZN’s rural schools

A shortage of staff and dedicated educational facilities is depriving many with special needs of an education.

Supportive: Schools must recognise that ‘no one is disabled: all persons are abled differently’.

Teaching that embraces difference

Education law and classroom mindsets are still not accommodating "disabled" pupils properly.

The City of Cape Town’s changes to its Dial-a-Ride service means people with disabilities won’t have transport to any other place than work during peak hours. Photo: File

Disabled pupils’ hostel of horror

It’s literally a case of the blind leading the blind at the crumbling Setotolwane special-needs school.

Exposed electricity cables pose a danger at Nokuthula Special School.

Electricity theft places special-needs school in peril

Illegal connections are sucking a special-needs school dry and endangering staff and pupils.