News

26 August 2003

Provincial Launch of KZN Inclusive Education Week and ELSEN Schools Achiever Awards Function - 29 August 2003

The Vuleka School for the Deaf situated in the former Ulundi Region has been declared winner of the KZNDEC Education for Learners with Special Education Needs [ELSEN] Schools Achiever Awards for 2002 and will receive first prize from the KwaZulu-Natal Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Narend Singh on Friday, 29 August 2003 at the Provincial Launch of Inclusive Education Week at the Open Air Special School in Durban, 241 Frere Road, Glenwood at 9H00.

Minister Narend Singh and senior officials of the Department will also experience at first hand what it is like to be a physically challenged learner, by venturing around in a wheel chair. The theme this year is, "LOVE ALL SERVE ALL".

The aim of Inclusive Education Week 25 to 29 August 2003 coincides with the Deaf Awareness and Cerebral Palsy week is to celebrate diversity, to raise awareness of the plight of learners with disabilities, those that are experiencing barriers to learning and to promote Inclusive Education.

The Department has launched advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the policy proposals contained in the Education White Paper No. 6: Special Needs Education-Building an Inclusive Education System released in July 2001.

The Directorate: Psychological, Guidance and Special Education Services [PGSES] have arranged district events throughout the Province, which will culminate in the Provincial event, where the ELSEN Schools Achiever Awards 2002 will be awarded.

The ELSEN Schools Achiever Awards is an annual provincial event, initiated by PGSES in 2001. It serves as a challenge to special schools to demonstrate their involvement in local outreach activities, particularly those that are earmarked at assisting mainstream schools to develop intervention programmes for learners experiencing barriers to learning. Through the Achiever Awards, special schools are being orientated to their new role in becoming resource centres as advocated in White Paper.

The ELSEN Schools were judged on one of the following categories:

• Extending the school’s expertise to local mainstream schools (e.g. making educators available for consultation, discussion groups, workshops, outpatient clinics)
• Establishing links with local mainstream schools (e.g. inviting learners to participate in cultural activities, inter-sectoral sporting activities)
• Encouraging participation of community and mainstream schools in fundraising activities
• Inviting the community to join in partnership with a special undertaking of the school (e.g. a concert, art/craft exhibition, Open Day).

Members of the Media are invited to cover this event and pledge their support for an Inclusive Education and Training System that care for the physically challenged learners.

Mandla Msibi
Director: Communication and Public Relations
Tel. No. (035) 874 342
Cell No. 083 461 6253
Fax. No. (035) 874 3640

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