The Department recently convened an Inclusive Education Stakeholders’ Meeting at the DBE Conference Centre in Pretoria under the theme “Every Learner Matters.” The meeting was led by Mr Jabualni Ngcobo, Director for Inclusive Education, on 09 March 2026, and brought together departmental officials and partner organisations to strengthen collaboration and advance inclusive education for learners with disabilities.
A presentation was delivered by Ms Christinah Banyini, Chief Education Specialist from the Inclusive Education Directorate, who reported on progress in placing out-of-school children with disabilities into formal schooling. Since the establishment of a multidisciplinary National Task Team in 2023, significant progress has been made in transitioning learners from community-based special care centres into schools. Circular S28 of 2023 was issued to guide provinces in implementing these placements and ensuring access to education for every child.
In another presentation, Mr Ngcobo outlined the department’s initiative to repurpose special schools into resource centres. This strategy aligns South Africa’s education system with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which emphasises that persons with disabilities should not be excluded from the general education system. Under this approach, special schools are expected to function as centres of expertise that support ordinary schools with specialised knowledge, reasonable accommodation, and individualised support for learners.
The meeting also highlighted best practices for advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education for blind and partially sighted learners. Effective strategies include the use of tactile learning tools such as 3D models and tactile graphics, specialised software such as screen readers that interpret complex mathematical notation, and assistive devices including talking calculators, Braille rulers, and adapted laboratory equipment. Participants recognised the success of the Bookshare platform, which enables learners to access scientific and technical materials in accessible formats such as DAISY and electronic Braille. Provinces such as the Western Cape are already supporting learners with technologies like Braille Note Touch devices. Continuous teacher training in specialised STEM pedagogy was identified as essential to ensure educators can adapt mainstream curriculum materials into accessible formats.
Another critical area discussed was the provision of Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM) for special schools. Mr Sifiso Sibiya, Director for LTSM, presented an update on national efforts to supply appropriate resources. Mr Sibiya reported that provincial procurement models vary: some provinces procure LTSM centrally, while others allocate funds directly to schools. For the 2026 academic year, several assistive resources have already been distributed, including Braille Note Touch devices and electronic textbooks in the Western Cape, Perkins Braille machines and educator training in KwaZulu-Natal, and JAWS Pro site licences in the Northern Cape. The DBE has also produced and distributed Braille workbooks for multiple grades and subjects, including Grade R materials and Grades 1-3 Mathematics and Life Skills toolkits in all eleven official languages. Additional funding has been allocated to ensure the ongoing production of Braille materials as needed.
The meeting also demonstrated the importance of partnerships. Blind SA, represented by its CEO, Mr Jace Nair, shared information about its programmes and services, including one of Africa’s largest Braille production facilities and its Bookshare platform, which expands access to reading materials in South African languages for blind learners.
The DBE highlighted its partnership with Afrika Tikkun Foundation, formalised through a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration supports Early Childhood Development (ECD) and the Occupational Pathway, strengthening school-based support for learners from Grade R through to Grade 12.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen national monitoring of infrastructure decisions, learner enrolment patterns, and admission practices. Stakeholders emphasised a shift from focusing solely on infrastructure expansion to building inclusive systems that ensure sustainable support for learners with disabilities. The next Inclusive Education Stakeholders’ Meeting is scheduled for 25 June 2026.