Coronation Training Centre

General information

I wish to acknowledge my brother, the late Prof. Russell Botman, a man of great vision, who breathed into me the very essence of the word in the way he lived his life. He, as imbedded in my parent’s upbringing, instilled in me the desire to bring hope to the hopeless. His commitment to the course has compelled him in becoming an annual sponsor of the school. In 1988, he was instrumental in me visiting Special Needs Schools in Europe, which broadened my vision to further develop and grow the Centre into a place where learners can rekindle their potential and re-discover their dignity and worth in a world where ignorance and injustice has turned society into a cruel place for our learners to live in.

I’ve been working for the rights of persons with disabilities for the past 30 years and have experienced that all children can learn and need support. This is also articulated in White Paper 6: Special Needs Education – Building an Inclusive Education and Training System (approved by Cabinet in 2001). My passion to respond to those learners who are vulnerable and most likely to be marginalised and excluded, keep me committed to one of the key strategies of the above policy that aims to accommodate learners who have high intensity support needs, as well as provide a range of support services to ordinary and full-service schools inspires me to go beyond the call of duty. It is however for me essential that the implementation of the White Paper 6, be done in a responsible manner not to counteract the very ideals it stands for. To this end I also hope that the Education System will move into the direction of a total breakdown of all social barriers and a eradication of the stigma learners with barriers to learning and development have to deal with.

I have a dream that no child will be begging on street corners or in shopping malls – blaming it on their disability. I dream that all learners with barriers to learning and development will be accommodated in a Centre or school where they will learn a skill and find job opportunities using their competency.

Through our activities at school as well as events we hope to raise awareness regarding this very vulnerable group that need all the support they can get to function in a world that has become competitive. So as you see the faces of these differently abled leaners and the people who love & support them, I pray that you will be inspired to unite and break down the barriers and build a society where everyone’s ability is respected and valued.

Phebe Botma-Kerspuy

Principal