Education
With reference to a meeting between his Department and the Robinhill Special School:
(1) Whether the three autism spectrum disorder (ASD) classrooms have been built; if not, why not;
(2) whether any commitment had been made by his Department to the school to build three ASD classrooms; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether his Department made any oral or written commitment to the school governing board or principal that funds had been allocated in the budget in order to build these classrooms; if so, are the funds still available;
(4) (a) what effort, if any, has been made by his Department to fulfil the requests made by the school for a nurse and a psychologist and for updates to the transport and irrigation system and (b) why has there been no update on these requests since February 2024;
(5) (a) why has the exit level of the school not been adjusted to accommodate learners who are capable of achieving more and (b) what alternative options are available to children who are able to learn beyond the level of Grade 5?
My department has informed me of the following:
(1) The school was informed of a feasibility study to be conducted to determine whether 3 classrooms for learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could be built on the property at the Robinhill Special School. It was, however, revealed that the property is not owned by the WCED, and the project was not feasible.
(2) No.
(3) No.
(4) The Directorate of Inclusive and Specialised Education Support is currently evaluating the feasibility of assigning a nurse to the school. Due to the limited availability of nurses, these resources are prioritized for schools with the greatest need. Robinhill benefits from proximity to clinical support services, with Protea Park Clinic located 2 kilometres away and Saxon Sea Clinic situated 2.8 kilometres from the school. Access to psychosocial support is ensured through weekly access to the circuit-based psychologist and social worker.
Robinhill was allocated a new 35-seater vehicle in February 2025, fully funded by the WCED, to support learner transport. In addition, the school received funding in both 2024 and 2025 to alleviate transport-related pressures.
The Directorate of Inclusive and Specialised Education sent out a communication to all Special Schools for feedback on additional funding requirements. The WCED received a letter from the school in February 2025. The letter did not include irrigation as a need.
(5) It is important to take into consideration that Robinhill is a Special School focusing on supporting learners with severe intellectual disabilities. Therefore, the curriculum offered at the school is of such a nature to equip learners with independent living skills for when they leave the schooling system. In the year that learners turn 15, learners are assessed to determine whether they will be able to master a skills-orientated curriculum to skill them for the world of work. Learners that would benefit from such a curriculum are then moved to Atlantis School of Skills.
