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THUTHUKANI SPECIAL SCHOOL other

THUTHUKANI SPECIAL SCHOOLRef: https://www.thuthukani.org.za/our-school/

Official source

Source domain: thuthukani.org.za

Collected on 29 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 29 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This document is a webpage text titled “Our School” for Thuthukani Special School. It describes the school’s purpose, learner profile (severe to profound intellectual disability, ages 6–19), location near Empangeni, history (founded February 1981), enrolment (439 learners) and a large assessed waiting list (over 350 as of March 2026). It also outlines programmes, inclusion and support services, achievements/recognition (e.g., CAPS: SID inclusion, Health Promoting School status with a 98.6% score, sports and choir results), and funding challenges including low school fees, fee write-offs by the School Governing Body, reliance on fundraising, and a stated fundraising requirement of at least R 3000.00 per learner for 2026.

Facts

Places

KwaZulu-Natal, uMhlathuze Local Municipality

Reference

https://www.thuthukani.org.za/our-school/

Amounts

R 3 000

Key Takeaways

  • Thuthukani Special School in Empangeni (near Dover Sugarcane Farm)
  • Founded: February 1981
  • Learners: severe to profound intellectual disability; ages 6–19
  • Current enrolment: 439 learners; waiting list (assessed): over 350 as of March 2026
  • Accepts learners from Empangeni, Richards Bay, eNseleni, Kwa-Mbonambi, eSikhaweni, Ngwelezana and other rural areas
  • Main aims: build self-esteem and functional ability for independence and community contribution
  • Identified as a Resource Centre to pilot National Educational Policy on Inclusion (National and Provincial Department of Education)
  • Implementing CAPS: SID; included subjects: Life Skills and Physical Education
  • Department of Health declared Thuthukani a Health Promoting School; final score 98.6%
  • Sports/representation: Special Olympics World Games (table tennis and swimming); swimmer won gold medal
  • Choir: 2023 SASCE second place in district; 2024 first place in district; second nationally
  • No boarding facility; learners use public transport daily
  • SA Government subsidy received but insufficient; school fees kept very low
  • Only about 26% of learners could pay school fees in 2025; SGB writes off all unpaid fees annually
  • Fundraising requirement stated: at least R 3000.00 per learner to cover educational needs for 2026
  • Thuthukani Special School
  • National Department of Education
  • Provincial Department of Education
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Social Development
  • National Nutrition Programme
  • School Governing Body (SGB)
  • Special Olympics World Games
  • SASCE
  • CAPS: SID (National Curriculum for children with Severe Intellectual Disability)
  • World Down Syndrome Congress
  • Focus Poynt