The National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) oversight visit to Vulekani Special School in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal
The National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) KwaZulu-Natal delegation led by Mr James Mthethwa was shocked to learn that the special needs children at Vulekani Special School in Umzimkhulu do not have access to the healthcare services specific to their daily requirements.
The 269 learners, in Grades R to three (3), attend school daily without seeing professional nurses and therapists even though a school of this nature cannot function without specialists.
The delegation was also told that the school does not have a hostel onsite and learners are accommodated at a borrowed property that was reported to be in very bad condition with no electricity and running water. The hostel is located a distance from the school and poses a serious challenge to these special needs learners as the old school bus is also not in good condition and has been taken in for repairs since July 2016.
The Vulekani Special School was started at Umzimkhulu Mental Hospital in 1992. It was registered by the Department of Education in 1994. The late former President Nelson Mandela, arranged for Shell to donate the building of the school.
The 2016 enrolment at the school has dropped due to the state of the hostel. The delegation was told that learners had to be removed from a number of rooms due to cracks that were certified as dangerous.
The delegation requested the Department of Public Works to provide a report on the status of the hostel for the school. The department indicated that plans for a new hostel at the school were undertaken in 2011. However, the awarded contractor had to be released because it could not finish the project. The process for the appointment of a new contractor is at an advanced stage and the R28 million project is expected to commence on 17 October 2016 for completion in 2018, according to the department.
The delegation requested the Provincial Department of Education to submit a full status report on Friday, 16 September 2016 with regards to all issues raised by the school.
The delegation also visited Thukeyana Primary School, Underberg Clinic, and Margaret’s TB Hospital. Inadequate infrastructure, water supply and transport (ambulances and scholar transport) are some of the common challenges witnessed at the sites visited. The delegation requested all the Head of Departments supporting these facilities to ensure their full support.
Members of the media are invited to join the delegation as it continues with the oversight visit in Kokstad in the Harry Gwala District today, 15 September 2016. Please find attached programme for details.
Enquiries:
Nolizwi Magwagwa
Cell: 081 716 5824
Email: nmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za
