Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier announced in late March that a R68 million injection of funds would be used to improve learning facilities, staffing and teaching materials at existing schools that serve students with autism.
The autism community has lauded the Western Cape government’s boost for schools that serve students with autism but has said more still needs to be done.
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According to News24, two new special needs schools and 28 new classrooms at existing special needs schools will be built to serve students with autism, and Maynier said the department had earmarked an additional R214 million to support these students until 2026. This was in addition to the existing special education funding.
‘In recent years, the [department] has seen rising incidences of autism, which is also a worldwide phenomenon, so we need to urgently address the backlog,’ Maynier said.
Autism South Africa, Autism Western Cape and some parents of autistic children see the department’s efforts as a step in the right direction; however, they believe that more support is required.
Mduduzi Dube, managing director of Autism Western Cape, said:
‘Special schools have limited resources. There is a staff shortage and limited training for educators.’
She stated that, in addition to a lack of counsellors and therapists at specialised schools, there were long waiting lists for parents hoping to enrol their children.
Dube went on to say that special needs schools were important because they provided comprehensive support and empowerment for autistic students, as well as individual support and attention.
Vicky Oettle, an education specialist at Autism South Africa, stated that children on the autism spectrum desperately needed individualised support.
Oettle stated that education could become costly if parents were forced to send their child to a private special needs school to make up for education gaps caused by the teacher and resource shortages.
According to News24, the Western Cape has 75 special-needs schools. Three schools are specifically designed for students with autism, and 21 schools have satellites.
According to Maynier, contingency plans were made as the department did not have sufficient funds to support high-need ASD students in recent years.
Teachers and specialised support staff, as well as long waiting lists, could be addressed by investing in additional classrooms, he added.
However, according to Oettle, the discussion should go beyond education. She explained there is no support for autistic students at the university, and employers are unwilling to hire them.
‘We would like to see greater access to healthcare and support given to parents and carers. Across the lifespan of autistic adults, we need to do more,’ she added.
Dube agreed, urging greater access to healthcare and the government to assist with the high costs that people with autism must bear.
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