Learning barriers broken with opening of neurodiverse centre at Axios School of Skills
The start of something new withe opening of the Neuro Diverse Centre in Eersteriver.
Image: WCED
A new chapter in inclusive education began in the Western Cape this week, as Education MEC David Maynier officially opened the Neurodiverse Centre at Axios School of Skills, in Eersteriver, a purpose-built facility designed to expand access to education for learners with special education needs.
The centre repurposes previously unused classrooms at the school, which were refurbished specifically to meet the needs of learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Learners with Profound Intellectual Disability (LPID).
The facility includes six classrooms for ASD learners and two for LPID learners, supporting a total of 72 students. Eight additional teaching posts and a therapist position have been added to the school's staff.
Beyond serving enrolled students, the centre will also function as a resource hub for learners requiring support at other schools and those awaiting placement.
The Centre will cater for kids with Autism and learners with profound intellectual disabilities
Image: Supplied
The initiative emerged from a partnership between the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), other provincial government departments, and NGO partners. When the WCED identified the underutilised classrooms at Axios School of Skills, the school embraced the opportunity to pioneer a new model for inclusive education.
Maynier praised the collaborative approach. "The Neurodiversity Centre is an example of what we can achieve if we identify existing resource that is being underutilized, and add what is needed to optimise that resource.
“Thank you to Principal Engelbrecht and the team at Axios School of Skills, for setting the example that other schools can follow in welcoming and supporting learners with diverse education needs. It's a groundbreaking project, and one that will benefit generations of learners to come."
Maynier explained that in their latest budget announced last month, they’ve allocated another R155 million to help both learners with ASD and learners with intellectual disabilities.
“Our key purpose in this work is to expand access to these vital services to support learners who need extra help the most. In a tough budget environment, it is also vital that we look at the resources we already have, and leverage these to provide better support to our children.
“That is where this new facility comes in. The Neurodiversity Centre is an example of what we can achieve if we identify existing resource that is being underutilized, and add what is needed to optimise that resource.
“We had classrooms that were not being used and asked what we needed to make those available to cater to some of the learners who did not have access to our support. Withadditional teaching posts, we are able to open up 6 additional classrooms to support learners with ASD, a wonderful announcement to make during Autism Awareness Month.”
Ignatius du Preez, WCED Director for Inclusive and Specialised Education Support, highlighted the significance of the centre for learners who have long waited for specialised support:
"The Neurodiverse Centre at Axios School of Skills is an example of how we are expanding access to education for learners with special education needs with the help of our partners, giving hope to learners who need specialised support. We hope this will be the first of many such collaborations to come."
Principal George Engelbrecht captured the spirit of the occasion, framing the centre as a foundation for lasting change.
"As we open our Neuro Diverse Centre, we create more than a building, we create a space of understanding, acceptance, and opportunity, where every individual is valued and supported. This is the start of a journey to embrace different ways of thinking and learning, to celebrate strengths, and to build a community where everyone belongs. May this centre be a place of growth, hope, and opportunity, where barriers are broken and futures are shaped."