Don Mattera School
The Don Mattera School for learners with special educational needs was established as a Public Lsen school by the Gauteng Department of Education in 1996. The “visionary and driving force behind the establishment of the school was Mrs. Dorothy Cornelius, the former Director of the Society for the care of the physically and Mentally Handicapped. Mrs. Cornelius devoted her entire life to community service and especially the intellectually impaired in disadvantaged communities. Mrs. Cornelius (Speech Therapist) together with Nales Wessels (Social worker) and Mrs. Bertha Smith (Community worker) established a Day care and training Centre. On 15th January 1973 the Coronationville Training Centre opened it’s doors to learners with intellectual impairments . The school provided support not only to learners but the families and broader communities. Inclusive education would be advocated long before it became fashionable in the year 2000. Another training institution was established in Eldorado Park in 1980. This facility was the Harvey Cohen Centre which was established with the financial assistance of various Donors such as the Northclff Rotarians, Haggard Fund and S.A.Breweries. In 1996 the Harvey Cohen School was established at the Harvey Cohen Centre with the support of the Gauteng department of Education. The staff appointed by the Gauteng Department of Education included the Principal, a head of Department, Occupational Therapist, Professional Nurse, 4 Educators and 5 class assistants.
Johannesburg,
South Africa
8 Michigan avenue, Eldorado Park Extenction 7,1813
Special Schools
