South Africa: The Mpumalanga Department of Education applauds the learners with special needs from the various special schools in the Province who won in the Provincial South African Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) games held in Secunda, Govern Mbeki Local Municipality on 29 August 2022.
The winners will proceed to represent the Province in the National LSEN games to be held at Rob Ferreira Secondary School in White River, City of Mbombela Local Municipality, from 03 – 07 October 2022.
The male and female intellectually impaired athletes represented their schools in the long and high jump, discussing javelin, 5000m, 1 500m, 800m, 400m, 200m and 100m meters run and walk races.
The LSEN games provide the learners who are mostly restricted by their physical impairments with an opportunity to also participate in school sports, serving as a stimulus for their cognitive learning experience.
Through the adapted curriculum, the department can teach learners with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities who may also have multiple physical impairments, general subjects and practical skills, thus preparing them to become independent and responsible citizens in the future.
“On behalf of the Mpumalanga Department of Education, let me take this opportunity to congratulate all the athletes for participating in the LSEN games.
Their efforts are more commendable, considering that they require moderate to high levels of support in one way or the other because they are abled differently.
We are indeed proud of these young athletes who, against all odds, strive to display their unmatched talent.
We wish them well in the National games, and we are hopeful that they will lift the Mpumalanga flag high”.