A SCHOOL WITH ALMOST SEVEN DECADES OF HISTORY

Olympia Park was established in January 1958 as a flagship LSEN school serving learners with Mild Intellectual Disabilities (MID) and has a long history of supporting learners from underserved communities. The school premises are situated on Transnet grounds that were historically used for the training of Transnet learnerships.

Since 2019, Olympia Park has undergone significant transformation. Its vision and mission were revised, its school anthem and uniform changed, sporting facilities were developed and upgraded, and the school adopted a stronger focus on vocational and occupational skills development.

The school was also incorporated into the National School Nutrition Programme, which feeds up to 80% of its learners daily, while GDE scholar transport provides reliable transportation to 672 learners, including learners travelling from as far as Spaarwater and Vosloorus.

The transformation has extended to the curriculum through the implementation of the Endorsed National Senior Certificate and Technical Occupational Curriculum (TOC). The school has developed new workbooks and textbooks for TOC subjects and offers SETA-accredited short courses intended to strengthen learner employability.

MEC Maile maintained that Olympia Park’s evolution demonstrates the importance of ensuring that special education is connected to meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom.

“Inclusion cannot end with giving a learner a place in a classroom. It must mean giving that learner the education, practical skills, support and qualifications necessary to participate meaningfully in society and the economy.

“Our objective is to develop learners who leave school with practical abilities, theoretical knowledge, confidence, discipline and a positive attitude towards work,” MEC Maile added.