Today, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, MP, shared opportunities for learners with disabilities that are available within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector with learners at West Ridge High School for learners with special education needs.
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 special education needs and further share funding opportunities. The department’s intention is to mainstream issues of persons with disabilities in the PSET.
‘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. Though there is a special fund from the Department through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to assist these learners, the uptake is still low.
This is the reason I am criss-crossing the country talking to learners like you, to motivate and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities available. In addition to tuition and accommodation funds, there are extra funds allocated for assistive devices and assistive technology that assist learners to succeed academically’, said the Deputy Minister.
‘The school focuses on vocational skills development as part of the curriculum providing a platform for the learners to grasp with vocational skills before they proceed to post-school and education qualification’, said Dr Seetal, the Principal at West Ridge High School.
The learners of the school were exposed to opportunities available within the Sector Education and Training Authority’s (SETAs), NSFAS, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges and Universities.
Enquires:
Busiswa Gqangeni
Cell: 061 351 2695
E-mail: gqangeni.b@dhet.gov.za
