Children with special needs being marginalised?

from The Forum@8 Hosted by SAfm

Two weeks ago, when we held a discussion focusing on Children with special needs, many of our listeners called in and wrote, requesting that we invite again, the department of Basic Education to continue this discussion on special needs. Special needs is an umbrella term used for an array of diagnoses. Children with special needs may have mild learning disabilities or profound cognitive impairment. A child's special needs may include developmental delays that catch up quickly or remain entrenched. The term may also refer to children with occasional panic attacks or serious psychiatric problems. These are children who are often unable to go to school because of a variety of reasons. These could include 'limited understanding within communities and among teachers, about their learning needs. These are often fuelled by prejudices around disability. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Deptartment of Basic Education, Dr Moses Simelane and Director at Inclusive Education South Africa, Robyn Beere