The Eastern Cape Department of Education MEC, Fundile Gade hands over 23 seater Mercedes Benz designed buses to 7 special schools at the Mandla Makupula Leadership Institute in East London.

 

The handover came as part of the department’s mandate to ensure that all learners get acces to equal education.

 

Speaking on behalf of Inclusive Education was the Inclusive Education Acting Director, Simone Ncapayi, where he highlighted the following beneficiaries of the vehicles, namely the Manzabila School of Autism, Nomvume School of Autism, King Ndlovuyezwe Special School, Lonwabo Special School, Lingomsolethu Special School,  Baysville Special School and MT Fletcher Special  School.

Ncapayi went on to say, "763 special needs learners will benefit from these buses."

 

Adding to this, MEC Gade said that, “This handover forms part of the Department's plan to ensure access to education for all learners including those with disabilities, therefore we have decided to ensure that these special fitted buses with features to accommodate the learners are deliverd to create a balanced society.”  

Gade said, "The environment in which special needs learners operate in is disabled and it is governments responsibility to able the environment so learners can be the best that they can be."

 

King Ndlovuyezwe Principal Andiswa Mdudi was very delighted to be one of the beneficiaries, she said that, “This will bring major changes at our school as we are living in a very remote village, where our learners struggle to arrive at school on time and some are already exhausted due to the traveling distance, therefore I am very honoured to what the department has done for special schools and pray that they continue doing the good work for this province".

 

Deputy Speaker of Provincial Legislature, Mlibo Qhoboshiyane, commended MEC Gade for his outstanding work, never succumbing to pressure and leading with grace.