(S. Africa) Gauteng: School provides for 380 disabled students; "epilepsy, autism, other specialised needs"
- The end of childhood
- Jan 24
- 1 min read
Jan 24, 2026, Inside Education: Gauteng opens R240m special needs school amid learner placement pressures
The Gauteng Department of Education has launched a R240 million school for learners with special needs in Springs, Ekurhuleni, catering for learners with epilepsy, autism and other specialised needs.
The Dr W.K. du Plessis School for Learners with Special Education Needs was funded entirely by the provincial government through a combination of equitable share and conditional grants, and was constructed by the Department of Infrastructure Development.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane welcomed the opening of the school, saying it addressed a critical need in the Far East Rand. The school caters for learners from Grade 1 to Grade 12 and currently enrols about 380 learners. It also offers boarding facilities for 60 learners, which are currently operating at half capacity.
Chiloane said the school would help ease pressure on the province’s waiting list for learners with special needs, which currently stands at around 300.
The school achieved a 100% matric pass rate in the previous academic year, with 73% of learners obtaining bachelor passes.
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosingiphile Xhakaza described the school as a boost to the province’s skills development base, given Ekurhuleni’s role as Gauteng’s industrial and logistics hub. . . .
The school caters for learners with mild to severe intellectual learning disabilities, as well as epilepsy and autism. It is equipped with gross and fine motor equipment, specialised classrooms, therapy rooms, on-site nursing support and specialist educators. It also features newly equipped cooking and life-skills centres.
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