Government CapacityproposedLong TermBasic Education

Inclusive Education: Special Needs Schools and Full-Service Schools Expansion

Theme: inclusive_education

First raisedSept 2023Last discussedSept 2024Dormant — not discussed in 12+ months

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Assessment

Growth Impact2/5

Feasibility3/5

Responsible: Department of Basic Education / DSD / DoH

Feasibility Assessment

A constitutional rights obligation and long-term workforce development contribution. Progress has been negligible for 30 years despite repeated policy commitments. Requires dedicated funding for specialist teacher training, building modifications, and assistive technology — all of which compete with more visible education priorities.

Description

South Africa's Education White Paper 6 (2001) committed to a full-service inclusive education system, but implementation has lagged severely. There are approximately 460 special schools nationally serving children with moderate-to-severe barriers to learning, but these schools are overcrowded and under-resourced. The DBE's plan to convert 30% of ordinary schools to 'full-service schools' — equipped to accommodate learners with mild-to-moderate barriers to learning — has stalled at under 10% national conversion. Key gaps include shortage of specialised educators, lack of assistive devices and accessible infrastructure, and inadequate inter-departmental coordination with the Department of Social Development. Amendments to the South African Schools Act to mandate reasonable accommodation are under consideration.

OECD

Referenced in OECD Economic Surveys: South Africa

OECD SA Survey (2017, 2020, 2025). Education quality improvement is a recurring OECD recommendation across all surveys.