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Author: Thando Ngcume
Date: 24/07/2025
| EC EDUCATION HANDS OVER 8 BUSSES TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS By: Thando Ngcume The Eastern Cape Department of Education has made a groundbreaking move towards promoting inclusive education by handing over eight 23-seater Mercedes Benz buses to seven special schools in the province. According to EC Education Head of Department, Sharon Maasdorp, the initiative is a testament to the Department’s commitment to providing accessible education for all learners including those living with disabilities. The beneficiary schools include: - Fundisa Special School - King Ndlovuyezwe Special School - Reuben-Birin Special School - Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School - Anasango Special School - Kuyasa Special School - Lingomsolethu Special School When delivering his speech as the keynote speaker in the handover event, EC Education MEC Fundile Gade emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for special needs learners to thrive. He also highlighted the Department’s commitment to inclusive education saying that the Department is taking a significant step towards creating a balanced society by ensuring access to education for all learners. “These specially designed buses are a part of our plan to create an environment in which special needs learners can be comfortable in while travelling to and from school” said Gade. Gade added that by providing safe and reliable transportation, the Department is removing barriers to education and demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity. “This initiative will have a positive impact not only on learners but also the community at large because it will provide relief to parents when it comes to transportation of their kids “. Ntomboxolo Apleni who is a parent to a Grade 5 learner at Fundisa Special School expressed her gratitude to the Department and the entire Provincial Government. “I am overjoyed that the school has received these buses because to me as a parent it puta me at ease to know that my child will have a safe and reliable transportation to school” said Apleni. She added that as an unemployed parent transport costs have been a challenge and the busses will make a huge difference to her and her child’s lives. were a problem, so this will make a huge difference in our lives. Nombulelo Mono who is the Principal of Fundisa Special School concluded by applauding the good work done by the Department and its partners in making sure that the initiative is successful. “With the increased enrolment at the school which now includes learners from outside King Williams Town these busses have come at a right time for the school because they will bridge the gap of scholar transport crisis as well as ease transport costs for parents” said a visibly excited Mono. |