Education

1.    Yes. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has embarked on a comprehensive training programme to help teachers and officials identify and address special education needs, including children suffering from foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The training programme started in full service/ inclusive schools during the second term last year and is being incrementally expanded to all schools. Full-service schools are ordinary public schools that offer inclusive education to learners with mild to moderate special education needs. The WCED has formed 16 outreach teams at Special School resource centres that support the full-service/inclusive schools. The department is increasing the number of full-service/inclusive schools annually, in line with policy.

The WCED supports about 40 000 learners with low level needs at mainstream schools via 610 learning support teachers. About 2 000 learners with moderate levels of need currently attend full-service schools in the province. Many of the latter would have attended special schools in the past.

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome may manifest as cognitive impairment, hyperactivity, irritability, attention deficit disorder, distractibility and taking longer than normal to complete tasks. Besides the classic FAS syndrome, use of alcohol during pregnancy is also responsible for a wide range of other “special needs” including disability and learning difficulties.

Depending on the severity of the impairment, the learners with FAS may receive support from their class teacher, a Learning Support teacher in a mainstream or full-service school or if a high level of support is needed, referred to an appropriate Special School. There are no Special Schools specifically for children with FAS, with the support depending on the manifestation of the syndrome and the programme needed to address the learning barriers. Some learners with FAS may just need medication such as Ritalin to control their attention deficit and/or hyperactivity.

The WCED works in collaboration other government departments, non-governmental organisations and civil society to provide support and to build awareness of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, especially when combined with poor nutrition.