Speech by Minister Donald Grant: Formosa Elsen unit anniversary, 15 November 2013

Mayor of the Bitou Municipality Mr Memory Booysen
Deputy Mayor Mr Adam Van Rhyner
Officials of the WCED and Bitou Municipality
Mr Wildeman - Principal of Formosa PS
Mr Andrews - SGB chairperson and members of the SGB
Mrs Lourens and Mr Dunn
Educators, parents and learners
Ladies and Gentleman

One of the priorities of the Western Cape Government is to provide opportunities for all learners to access a quality education, including those children who experience barriers to learning.

We are proud that the Western Cape is generally regarded as the best resourced in the country in terms of special needs education with 74 special needs schools in the province and108 full-service schools with specialised teachers and classes to support learners with special needs.

One of the 108 ELSEN unit schools is the Formosa Primary Full-service School and Resource Centre in Plettenberg Bay.

Formosa full-service school can be best described as a "pocket of excellence" in the Western Cape and has been acknowledged on several occasions for their outstanding service to the community of Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding areas.

Led by a formidable and committed team, this unit continues to make a huge contribution in the field of learners with special needs, particularly in advancing the implementation of inclusive education in our schools. Formosa full-service school is no doubt an example of best practice in bridging the gap that exists between learners with disabilities and the mainstream learners around them.

I have had the privilege of congratulating one of their educators, Mr Leigh Dunn, who won a 2012 National Teaching Award in the category of "Excellence in Special Needs and Inclusive Education." If Mr. Dunn's energy and passion are anything to go by, this school will continue to grow from strength to strength!

I sincerely appreciate the work done by all involved at this school and am proud of their achievements.

I should therefore like to congratulate the Formosa Primary Full-service School and Resource Center on their innovation over the last five years. I am confident that this school will continue to grow as an example of the possibilities that inclusion can bring.

Thank you.