No-one should deny you the opportunity to study on the grounds that you have disability
Today, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, MP shared opportunities that are available within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector with learners at Vukuzenzele Special School for learners with disabilities.
‘Learners in rural setting require exposure to information that is affirming and capable of imparting a “can do” attitude in a society where the norm is to shield a learner with a disability and consider the “disability grant” provision as the ultimate shield for such learners.
No-one should deny you the opportunity to study on the grounds that you have a disability. It is a calculated move that the department through its entity National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has dedicated funds to target learners who would like to pursue their studies within the PSET.
Disability funding exists to enable reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities and for procuring special equipment, devices and technology’, said the Deputy Minister.
The purpose of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities programme is to expose career opportunities within the PSET to learners with disabilities and further share funding opportunities.
The department’s intention is to mainstream issues of persons with disabilities in the PSET.
Research shows that the majority of students with disabilities continue to experience discrimination in the PSET sector. Issues of access, institutional practices that have failed to consider the learning needs of persons with disabilities and their support needs thereof, continue to be a barrier to this sector.
‘The department is taking interest in the needs of learners with disabilities, especially around suitable career choices and adequate funding to increase the number of the disabled student population in all sectors.
At the moment, the proportion of disabled students is roughly estimated to be less than 1% of the total student population in the PSET sector – which is a far cry of the department’s target’, said the Deputy Minister.
The learners of the school were exposed to opportunities available within the Sector Education and Training Authority’s (SETAs), National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Ingwe TVET College, Buffalo City TVET College, Walter Sisulu University and many other opportunities available within PSET.
Ms Bandezi, Principal of Vukuzenzele Special School welcomed the Deputy Minister’s visit and said ‘our learners will certainly take advantage of the opportunities shared by the Department of Higher Education and Training and its institutions’.
For further information and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Busiswa Nongogo
Cell: 061 351 2695
E-mail nongogo.b@dhet.gov.za
Calvin Nkosi
Cell: 084 739 5468
E-mail nkosi.c@dhet.gov.za
