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For Learners With Special Educational Needs

History
of
Muriel Brand School

Mrs Muriel Brand

Mrs. Muriel Brand was the founder and driving force in establishing a school for children with cerebral palsy on the East Rand. After sufficient funds were raised, the Muriel Brand school opened its doors on the premises of the old state mines in January 1969. Mrs. Brand continued her fundraising efforts. The current school was built and opened in 1977. Mrs. Brand was actively involved in the school affairs until shortly before her passing in 2003. She was 94 years of age.

The need for a school for children living with cerebral palsy was addressed in 1964. This is where the story of Muriel Brand School started. In this year the Eastern Transvaal Cerebral Palsy Association (now the Gauteng Cerebral Palsy Association), was formed. This association became the sponsoring body of the school.  Their fundraising, under the inspiring leadership of Mrs. Muriel Brand, was driven and successful which led to the establishment of the new school for children living with cerebral palsy.

Muriel Brand School opened its doors on 14 January 1969. The premises was old, barely renovated mine buildings.  The school consisted of 27 learners and 18 staff members. As learner numbers increased, it became evident that larger premises were needed. The Brakpan Town Council offered new premises to the school in August 1970, which the school bought. During September 1973 the first sod was turned on the site of the new school in Brenthurst, Brakpan. On the 9th of September 1977 saw the closing of the State Mines premises and the move to the modern, new school in Brenthurst, Brakpan. The first matric class wrote their finals at the end of 1981.

Muriel Brand School is a public special school and is subsidized by the Gauteng Department of Education.