Since 2011, the Department of Basic Education has been collaborating with relevant sister Government Departments including the Departments of Health, Social Development, Transport, Public Works, Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Western Cape Provincial Government to develop a Draft Policy for the Provision of Quality Education and Support to Children with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability. Together with the Draft Policy, a Learning Programme has also been developed to guide caregivers on how to provide stimulation to children so as to maximise their development and learning. All relevant stakeholder bodies and members of the public are invited to submit comments to both draft policy documents by 31 January 2017.

Comments must be submitted on the template that is provided and addressed to Mrs M Schoeman at Schoeman.m@dbe.gov.za. For any further enquiries, please contact Dr M Simelane at 012 357 4082, Mrs Schoeman at 012 357 4084, or Ms M Chaane at 012 357 4105. Comments may also be faxed to 012 323 7749.