• A Cape Town mother says her son can’t read or write and is in the wrong school.

• The education department says his special school application was rejected but they’re now prioritising his case.

A Cape Town mother is furious that her 15-year-old son is still stuck at a mainstream school even though he needs special education.

The Grade 5 learner at Forest Heights Primary School cannot read or write.

His mother says the school already confirmed that he needs to be placed at a special school or a school of skills.

“I’ve been waiting for four full years for them to move my child,” she said.

“They did tests and agreed he shouldn’t be in a mainstream school. But he’s still there. It’s not fair.”

She believes the delay is holding her son back and making his struggles worse.

“The department knows the test results. I don’t know if they’re aware of what’s happening, but they must step in,” she said.

The Western Cape Education Department says an application was made to place the boy in a special school, but it was declined.

Spokesperson Millicent Merton said: “Processes are in place to support learners whose applications to special schools are unsuccessful due to limited space or programme availability.”

She added that the district is now prioritising the case to get the right support and find a placement.

Pictured above: Forest Heights Primary School.

Image source: Forest Heights Primary School Facebook