Director's Desk
From the National Director’s Desk: February 2025
Feb
Dear Friends and Supporters
We extend heartfelt gratitude to the passionate educators and dedicated staff that serve with pride! Your commitment makes a profound difference in the lives of learners with disabilities.
We invite our readers to collaborate with our NCPD team regarding post-school pathways for learners with disabilities. Too often, we hear about students who had nowhere to go after completing school—and in most cases, years after graduation. The earlier we connect with students approaching graduation, the sooner we can assist them and their parents with future planning.
January and most of February—this year—were frantic days of obtaining bursaries, accommodation, assistive devices, documentation, and the increasingly tortuous NSFAS system.
Sadly, there still are teachers and school administrators who do not cater to the needs of learners with disabilities—denying them even the most basic support, not paying attention to issues of accessibility like staircases, allowing children to starve in school hostels, or ignoring broken or inappropriate assistive devices.
We are disheartened by the numerous education department officials who lack empathy for struggling learners with disabilities. Their failure to follow up on school misconduct and their dismissal of public concerns is particularly evident in the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces.
At NCPD, we look forward to working with the Department of Education across multiple levels—schools, principals, teachers, therapists, and staff. Reach out to partner with us in learner support, accessibility, and assistive device solutions.
As a civil society organization, we call on the Department of Education to do their job and act against the neglect and abuse of our learners with disabilities. On the other hand, we value the wonderful, dedicated people in the education system that are doing their best.
We humbly ask our friends and supporters to consider giving to our Children’s Services program.
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant impact.
To all schools—ELSEN (Education for Learners with Special Educational Needs), mainstream, and private—why not try fundraising for your school and children with disabilities by taking part in Casual Day?
Register to participate at www.casday.co.za or extend your Casual Day 2025 commitment by contacting 011 609 7006.
Till then,
