Education specialists from South Africa are in Brighton and Hove on a fact-finding exchange visit.

The team of special needs experts from the Qumbu district of the Eastern Cape region, will spend two weeks in the city sharing ideas and expertise with the local education authority.

The visitors come from one of the poorest areas of South Africa, where schools are among the least resourced in the world.

They will discuss special needs and inclusive education, personal, social and health education, including HIV and AIDS and literacy and libraries issues.

David Hawker, the director of children, families and schools at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "We are proud of our many international links but this one is particularly special.

"It shows how schools here and in South Africa can work together to support children with special needs in our communities."

The specialists are staying with headteachers of three special schools in Brighton and Hove.

Frances Hillier, a Brighton education adviser who used to work as a teacher for Link Community Development, which runs education programmes in South Africa, organised the exchange trip.

Friday May 6 2005