Official source
Source domain: thuthukani.org.za
Collected on 29 July 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
This document is a webpage titled “Referral to Thuthukani” for Thuthukani Special School. It explains how learners are referred for possible placement, including that mainstream-school referrals start with the class teacher and principal under the Department of Education’s SIAS (Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support) policy and go via Department of Education circuit and district offices. It also describes eligibility (severe to profound intellectual disability, with possible accommodation for certain additional disabilities), what happens after a referral (screening by an occupational therapist, consultation with parents, health assessment by a school nurse, and placement on a waiting list), and the steps to refer depending on whether the learner is in a mainstream school, not attending school, or attending a special school due to relocation.
What this document offers
Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.
special education placement opportunityOngoing
Placement at Thuthukani Special School
Learners with severe to profound intellectual disability, including those with additional disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, deafness, speech and hearing disorders, visual impairment, and physical disability, may be considered for placement at Thuthukani Special School. Referrals are processed through the Department of Education's SIAS policy for mainstream school learners, or directly for non-attending or relocating special school learners.
- Who it is for
- learners with severe to profound intellectual disability and associated conditions
- How to act on it
- For mainstream school learners: referral initiated by class teacher and principal, routed through Department of Education Circuit and District offices, assessed by District Level Support teams. For non-attending learners: direct referral to Thuthukani via contact details. For relocating special school learners: direct referral to Thuthukani with transfer card/letter from previous school.
Show the line this came from
Learners who are in a mainstream school: Learners are referred to Thuthukani Special School via a formal referral process which is initiated by the class teacher and Principal of the referring school – Policy on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS). The learner is initially referred to the Department of Education Circuit and District offices. Assessments are done by the District Level Support teams, and the learner may then be recommended for placement at Thuthukani Special School.
Facts
Places
KwaZulu-Natal
Key Takeaways
- Document title: Referral to Thuthukani (Thuthukani Special School webpage)
- Mainstream school referrals: initiated by class teacher and principal under Department of Education SIAS policy
- Mainstream referrals route: Department of Education circuit and district offices; assessed by District Level Support teams
- Eligibility: severe to profound intellectual disability only
- Additional disabilities that can be accommodated: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, deafness, speech and hearing disorders, visual impairment, physical disability
- Referral screening: occupational therapist screens ability, relative developmental age, and school progress
- Parents are consulted and advised about the Thuthukani programme
- School nurse assesses general health and helps parents access relevant social grants for disabled child
- Waiting list: all suitable candidates placed on a waiting list
- Preference: learners in a special school whose parents have moved to the area
- Admission/class placement: placed in a class with learners of similar age and functional ability
- Follow-up: after four weeks, team meets (class teacher, occupational therapist, parent where possible, and other parties) to adjust and develop an individual support plan
- Relocation transfer requirement: Thuthukani requests a transfer card/letter from the referring school
- How to refer: different contact/process depending on mainstream, not in school, special school relocation, or other assistance
- Thuthukani Special School
- Department of Education
- District Level Support teams
- Department of Education Circuit offices
- Department of Education District offices
- Occupational therapist
- School nurse
- Class teacher
- Principal
- Parents/guardians