Durban — The hybrid Learning Academy, a school for autistic pupils in Chatsworth, south-west of Durban, is not registered with the education department.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the school was not on the department’s books, which is a requirement, and therefore it was operating without the knowledge of the department. He said early childhood development centres are required to register with the department. Mahlambi did not elaborate on what action the department would take, saying the department would look into the matter.
The department’s investigation of the school registration was prompted by a complaint by a parent whose mute child was allegedly assaulted by a teacher inside the school last month.
The Daily News reported on the matter and parents opened a criminal case which is awaiting the prosecuting authority's decision.
The parent, who could not be named to protect the child, said the attitude displayed by the school management led her to believe the school was a “fly-by-night” establishment. The parent wrote to the department asking for an intervention and questioned the teachers’ qualifications to run such a school. The parent claimed the principal did not possess a therapy qualification except for ancillary health care.
“My daughter’s last school report has a sensory integration profile that is filled in. I have been advised that this is a fraudulent profile as the owner is not a qualified sensory integration-trained occupational therapist, nor has she ever had one present at the school,” said the parent.
Furthermore, she said the school was not complying with the health standards as it has 27 pupils and seven adults sharing two toilets with no outside play facilities, no sensory equipment such as a trampoline, no soft play nor therapy swings which are necessary for children on the spectrum as it aids in occupational therapy.
The parent further stated that the school has no CCTV cameras as was admitted to her husband via a WhatsApp chat when he requested to view the cameras after their daughter was allegedly assaulted.
Reacting to the department’s findings that the school was not registered, the parent said she was vindicated, saying this was the root cause of what happened to not only her daughter but all children who suffer abuse at educational institutions.
The parent said the real crime in this was the failure of the Department of Education and the Department of Social Development to ensure that all institutions, especially those tasked with educating children with special needs, are safe and compliant.
“With the school being unregistered, no safety issues are addressed, nor are they of particular importance. I believe the owner is not even aware of the rules and regulations that govern an operational school.
“If a school is registered, they are legally bound to comply with all rules and regulations. Because of the scarcity of special needs schools, these unregistered institutions pop up overnight with the sole aim of making an easy profit at the expense of us, vulnerable parents who are desperate for our children to have an education,” the parent said.
“Our children are treated so poorly. Some spend their whole lives not being accepted by society – the least we can do is afford them safety and dignity in schools and raise children who won’t have to recover from their childhood,” said the parent.
Hybrid Learning Academy attorney Judy Reddy said her client denies all the allegations.
“This matter is being adjudicated and in due time all facts relating to the matter will be ventilated. The father of the child was aware of the environment at the school amongst other things which are all excellent conditions for a child, but suddenly he is pointing fingers,” said Reddy.
On the issue of registration, Reddy said her client reserved her right to comment on all of this at the appropriate time.
WhatsApp your views on this story to 071 485 7995.
Daily News