Budget cuts fail learners with disabilities

THE government's announcement last year that special schools will be spared from the latest education budget cuts has brought relief in some circles. At the same time, that announcement raised an important question: does preserving funding for special schools truly advance the rights of learners with disabilities?

- BENEDICT KHUMALO

At face value, the decision appears protective, but it overlooked deeper systemic challenges within South Africa's education system. Rather than easing the crisis, it risks intensifying longstanding barriers to quality education for learners with disabilities.

Inclusive education remains a central policy commitment grounded in equity and access, but implementation has been uneven, and budget constraints threaten to widen existing gaps. As South Africa marks Disability Awareness Month (November 3 to December 3), this piece seeks to contribute to the national conversation on disability inclusion by exploring how budget cuts shape educational realities.

There are currently 848 full-service schools (schools that provides structured and coordinated support to meet a wide range of learning needs) in South Africa, tasked with accommodating approximately 121 461 learners with disabilities. These schools are designed to provide an inclusive environment where learners with disabilities can access education alongside their peers.

However, with the decrease in the education budget, these schools are at risk of being stretched beyond their capacity. The infrastructure, resources, and support systems required to provide meaningful accommodation for learners with disabilities are already under strain, and further cuts threaten to push these systems to the brink.