'Special needs schools are provinces' duty'

The department of basic education has placed the responsibility for staffing, funding and resourcing special needs schools onto provincial departments.

- Oratile Mashilo

This clarification came in response to a parliamentary question by EFF MP Reneiloe Mashabela.

She was seeking to establish whether all special needs schools would be adequately staffed and resourced for the 2025 academic year.

In a written response, the department said it does not oversee direct operations at special needs schools.

"The responsibility for ensuring that all special needs schools are adequately staffed and resourced for the 2025 academic year lies with the respective provincial education departments," the national department said.

It added that though the department has facilitated the provision of key educational materials, it also noted the resources include curriculum assessment policy and statement textbooks.