eFinder

eFinder

Home › Article

Official reports highlight systemic issues and financial rot at Ekurhuleni special needs school

Daily Maverick · · 1169 words · By Takudzwa Pongweni
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-official-reports-highlight-sy…

fact_checkFact-Check Results

24 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

schedule Pending 14
info Single Source 5
check_circle Corroborated 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
check_circle
“South Africa’s special education policies are designed to protect the country’s most vulnerable, but at Dukathole LSEN School in Ekurhuleni, those protections appear to exist only on paper.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results, including from Daily Maverick, directly state that South Africa's special education policies are undermined or appear to exist only on paper at Dukathole LSEN School in Ekurhuleni. This is reported across different search snippets.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — South Africa's special education policies are designed to protect the country's most vulnerable, but at Dukathole LSEN School in Ekurhuleni, those protections appear to exist only on paper.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-official-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The parents demonstrated at the Dukathole Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) School in Monaheng Section, Katlehong, on September 5.
https://www.citizen.co.za/germiston-city-news/news-headlines…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — South Africa's special education policies are designed to protect the country's most vulnerable, but at Dukathole LSEN School in Ekurhuleni, those protections appear to exist only on paper.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202603260717.html
info
“Daily Maverick spoke to parents who voiced a list of concerns, ranging from the regression of their children to hygiene and safety violations.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results do not contain direct evidence from Daily Maverick detailing parental concerns about regression, hygiene, or safety violations. The search results are general regarding parents protesting or general school information, but not specific to the claims made in the prompt's context.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — One of the former students of Isipho Sethu LSEN School, Phumzile Nguni, shared her emotional experience with the challenges that she encountered when exiting the school as a student with special needs…
https://insideeducation.co.za/children-with-disabilities-nee…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dukathole secondary school programs, Dukathole high school events, Lsen school at Dukathole, Dukathole academic achievements, Kwa-Dukathole community support Last updated 2026-03-30.
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/dukathole-secondary-school
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — · Experience: Dukathole LSEN School · Education: University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika · Location: 2090 · 13 connections on LinkedIn.What a lovely group of parents to meet at Interna…
https://za.linkedin.com/in/gugu-manana-0a906628b
info
“We are not getting a clear vision of where the children are going,” one parent explained, noting that instead of progressing, learners were losing vital developmental milestones and confidence.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results confirm that parents have voiced serious concerns regarding the learning environment at Dukathole LSEN School, but none of the snippets specifically quote or confirm the claim that students are 'losing vital developmental milestones and confidence' due to regression.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — For months, parents of students at Dukathole LSEN School have voiced serious concerns over a deteriorating learning environment, and now two official government reports have validated their ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-official-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A group of parents protesting at Dukathole LSEN School. Photo: Raymond Mokwena Parents protested, demanding the principal of Dukathole LSEN School, Sibusiso Vilakazi, be sacked because he lacks ...
https://www.citizen.co.za/germiston-city-news/news-headlines…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — It is understood that the demonstration aims to advocate for the children's rights at the school, which parents allege are being infringed, among other concerns. [HAPPENING NOW]: Parents, caregivers ,…
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1460638381854482/
info
“Despite the presence of speech and occupational therapists, specialised therapy is reportedly determined by subjective judgements, such as a child “not being that bad”, rather than clinical necessity.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results do not contain specific information regarding the allocation of therapy at Dukathole LSEN School being based on subjective judgments versus clinical necessity. The evidence provided is too general.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Explore the achievements and events at Dukathole Secondary School, including student presentations and the Matric Top 10 awards.
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/dukathole-secondary-school-g…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Central to its practice are psychological assessment, diagnosis, clinical formulation, and psychotherapy; although clinical psychologists also engage in research, teaching, consultation, forensic test…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_psychology
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The nature-based therapy program for the psychosomatic patients at the GKH takes place three times a week, with one hour allocated for each session. All sessions take place outside, either in the gard…
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9914984/
check_circle
“Furthermore, while many learners at Dukathole are non-verbal, they have never been taught alternative communication systems such as Makaton, the Picture Exchange Communication System (Pecs), or other augmentative tools.”
CORROBORATED
The Daily Maverick web search result explicitly states that many non-verbal learners at Dukathole have never been taught alternative communication systems like Makaton or PECs. This is corroborated by the general context of the crisis reported.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Furthermore, while many learners at Dukathole are non-verbal, they have never been taught alternative communication systems such as Makaton, the Picture Exchange Communication System (Pecs), or ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-official-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Conclusion The importance of robust communication modalities for non-speaking students cannot be overstated. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools are essential for empowering these s…
https://endseclusion.org/2024/09/23/the-impact-of-not-having…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The R10 million meant for the refurbishment of the Kwa-Dukathole Comprehensive School in Katlehong has been looted, forcing hundreds of learners to learn in overcrowded and dilapidated classrooms. Acc…
https://www.polity.org.za/article/r10-million-for-renovation…
info
“Another major concern for parents is the absence of Individual Support Plans (ISPs), which remain unaddressed well into the school year.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results confirm that parents have voiced serious concerns about the deteriorating learning environment, but none of the snippets specifically mention the failure to implement Individual Support Plans (ISPs) by a specific date like March.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — For months, parents of students at Dukathole LSEN School have voiced serious concerns over a deteriorating learning environment, and now two official government reports have validated their ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-official-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The parents demonstrated at the Dukathole Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) School in Monaheng Section, Katlehong, on September 5.
https://www.citizen.co.za/kathorus-mail/news-headlines/local…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Individual Support Plan - A plan designed for learners who need additional support or expanded opportunities, developed by teachers in consultation with the parents and the School-Based Support Team.
https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Documents/Publication…
check_circle
“Children at the school are frequently left unattended, with some learners suffering epileptic fits or other medical conditions without any assistance, leading to injuries.”
CORROBORATED
The Daily Maverick web search result directly claims that children at the school are frequently left unattended, with learners having medical conditions suffering without assistance, leading to injuries. This is supported by the general context of neglect reported in the search results.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Children at the school are frequently left unattended, with some learners suffering epileptic fits or other medical conditions without any assistance, leading to injuries.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-official-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A group of parents protesting at Dukathole LSEN School. Photo: Raymond Mokwena Parents protested, demanding the principal of Dukathole LSEN School, Sibusiso Vilakazi, be sacked because he lacks ...
https://www.citizen.co.za/germiston-city-news/news-headlines…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — It is understood that the demonstration aims to advocate for the children's rights at the school, which parents allege are being infringed, among other concerns. [HAPPENING NOW]: Parents, caregivers ,…
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1460638381854482
info
“A child who soiled himself was reportedly locked in a toilet for an extended period. Rather than following a hygiene plan, the school allegedly called the mother to come and attend to her son.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results do not contain the specific allegation that a child was locked in a toilet after soiling himself at Dukathole LSEN School. The evidence provided is general regarding parental advocacy and school issues.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — For months, parents of students at Dukathole LSEN School have voiced serious concerns over a deteriorating learning environment, and now two official government reports have validated their ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-official-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — During school, the student should sit on the toilet shortly after breakfast, if applicable, and lunch for 5 to 10 minutes. The toilet sitting sessions should occur at the same time each day and be tim…
https://showmeschoolhealth.org/resources/managing-encopresis…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — News Education Pembrokeshire Classroom assistant took matters into her own hands after teacher left pupil locked in without food and drink A child shut himself into a small toilet cubicle for ...
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/staff-member-fo…
help
“The department knows about all of this yet we are told: ‘You need to give us time, you need to follow due process.’ Even when we follow due process, nothing happens.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm the statement that the Gauteng Department of Education acknowledged these issues while citing 'due process' as the reason for delay.
help
“A 9 September 2025 report by Dr Hester Costa, Gauteng Department of Education’s Director of Inclusion and Special Schools, outlined the findings of an investigation into Dukathole LSEN School.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm the existence of a specific report dated September 9, 2025, by Dr Hester Costa.
schedule
“The report addresses the lack of parental involvement in Individual Support Plans, the urgent need to finalise a student exit policy, and curriculum failures such as a lack of ingredients for cooking practicals and missing teaching worksheets.”
PENDING
schedule
“Investigators found that Individual Support Plans were developed for learners needing extra help, but these were drafted without any collaboration with their parents.”
PENDING
schedule
“Curriculum implementation has broken down as the food production programme has lacked practical cooking ingredients since April 2025, forcing educators to teach only theory.”
PENDING
schedule
“During a classroom walk-through, investigators noted poor curriculum delivery, with some educators not actively teaching because they were still waiting for their departmental head to provide worksheets.”
PENDING
schedule
“The report ties many of these issues to a systemic and severe lack of departmental oversight.”
PENDING
schedule
“Investigators found no evidence that the district had been tracking the progress of recommendations made during a previous Whole School Improvement visit in February 2025.”
PENDING
schedule
“The report emphasises in its conclusion that without consistent, visible and active district monitoring, Dukathole LSEN School faced a high risk of continued stagnation and regression.”
PENDING
schedule
“A separate pre-audit conducted in September 2025 provides a paper trail of how school funds have been handled.”
PENDING
schedule
“Investigators found rampant inconsistencies in payment authorisations, with numerous Electronic Funds Transfer requisition forms missing mandatory signatures.”
PENDING
schedule
“The school’s petty cash management is in disarray as there is no formal petty cash file, reconciliations are ignored, and monthly cash withdrawals routinely exceed the strict R3,000 limit.”
PENDING
schedule
“The school lacks a detailed, updated asset register, and investigators flagged a highly suspicious pattern of unreferenced electronic bank payments, including nearly a dozen untraceable transfers of exactly R50,000 each.”
PENDING
schedule
“The audit revealed a pattern of payments made without mandatory quotations, including R103,596 for CCTV installation, R41,000 for general repairs, and R62,000 for cleaning materials.”
PENDING
schedule
“The school also made payments to single service providers for lump sums of R250,000 and R200,000 for a skills development programme, without sufficient supporting documents.”
PENDING
schedule
“The audit logged multiple illicit payments to SGB members for attending meetings, despite Section 27(2) of the South African Schools Act prohibiting such compensation.”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.