Around 40 learners have now started their schooling careers, thanks to the addition of four classrooms at Agape School.
These classrooms are specifically built to address the backlog of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) learners who have been on a waiting list to start school at dedicated facilities.
The project was made possible by Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB), the Rotary Club of Newlands, Corobrik, Stonehage Fleming Charitable Foundation and other partners. It was officially opened on Tuesday 5 April.
The launch also coincides with Autism Awareness month, following the commemoration of World Autism Day on Saturday 2 April.
The four classrooms cost R2,75 million to build. A total of 10 classrooms are to be built as part of the development.
John Winship, who represented the Rotary Club of Newlands at the launch and was involved in the liaising on the project, says they hope to raise enough money to have a second phase of the project.
He says the rotary club has been involved in projects for special needs for the past 12 years.
“We envisage a substantial ASD Centre with up to ten classrooms, a kitchen facility and treatment and assessment rooms, which will be vital for the school to continue to support those with special needs,” he says.
“We’re grateful to have had support and funding from our partners, CCPB, Stonehage Fleming Charitable Foundation and Corobrik. Our goal is to grow these kinds of partnerships so that ASD students from across the country can also benefit from facilities like those offered at the Agape School for Children with Special Needs.”
CCPB, who have been instrumental in the partnership, have partnered with the Rotary club on several projects.
This is one of 30 brick and mortar projects completed as part of their CSI initiatives.
The partnership was formed in early 2020 after the school and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) approached the rotary club for assistance to evaluate, plan, fund and construct the extension of the school.
School principal Bernice Lambert says: “Agape School is grateful for the contribution by the funders of this worthy project. We are greatly in need of facilities for our learners with special needs. These four classrooms comprise phase one of our ambition to build a substantial centre. On behalf of the school and the school governing body, thank you.”
Agape services the greater Mitchell’s Plain area and surrounds and was initially a satelite site of the Eros School in Athlone.
Education department officials say there is a dire need for specialised education facilities that cater to ASD learners in the province, as in recent years they have seen an increase in diagnosis of ASD in learners.
The Eros and Agape schools initially catered to learners with cerebal palsy, calling for a need to expand their offerings, but thanks to the advances in medical treatment, there has been a drop in the need for these placements.
School governing body chair Adiel Norodien said the investment will have a great impact on the already great investment made into the learners’ lives by the school.
