Provision of learner transport in special schools is identified as a priority, to strategize for the increase access to education for children with barriers to learning.
The provision of Special School buses has alleviated some of the challenges of learner transport in special schools, hence learner enrolment has increased at an average of 380 per year since 2009 up to 2020.
The Department of Education has thus far provided 126 buses to 74 Special Schools.
4. An audit conducted in 2019, highlighted the need for 52 additional buses.
We have since handed over 8 buses in November 2019, 15 have been handed over today and a further 20 buses will be procured within the financial year ending March 2020, thus totalling 43 buses with an expenditure of R48million.
The other 9 buses and additional buses will be procured to exponentially decrease the amount of buses required to replace written off and buses that are not roadworthy, in the new financial year.
Approximately 1300 learners with special needs will benefit from the provision of these buses in 2019/20.
The KZNDoE has also ensured additional posts for Drivers in Special schools be advertised as part of the Human resource provisioning for support staff at special schools.