An estimated half a million South African children with disabilities have been shut out of the country's education system, a report revealed on Tuesday.

The report was jointly released in Johannesburg by the Human Rights Watch at a joint event with South African Human Rights Commission.

The 94-page report titled "Complicity in Exclusion" details how South Africa has failed to guarantee inclusive education for over half a million children with disabilities.

Widespread discrimination and negative attitudes against children with disabilities were identified as key barriers that have kept these children out of formal education, said the report.

Elin Martinez, Researcher in the Children Rights division of the Human Rights Watch, said these barriers should be removed as a matter of urgency.

"Children with disabilities are turned down in mainstream schools and asked to go to special schools where they do not belong." said Martinez.

"No one has carried out an adequate assessment to understand the best learning environment for them. They are simply sent out there and placed on the waiting list where they can wait up to four years," added the reasercher.

Researchers also found that the few disabled children who made it to mainstream schools suffered physical violence and neglect due to inadequate teachers' training.

Doreen Moluke, a mother of a child who has down syndrome, said she is one of many parents who have tried to place their children in school but with no success.

Moluke said, "It is so painful seeing your child sitting at home doing nothing, and knowing that your child has got a problem with his mindset."

"I need my child to be in school so that he can have the experience and opportunities that other children get," Moluke told Xinhua.

Daniel Bakele, Africa Executive Director at the Human Rights Watch, told Xinhua that the level of discrimination revealed by the report is not acceptable and swift action is required from the government.

"We urge the South African government to review its education policies and ensure that they are implemented to address this challenge" said Bakele.

The South African Human Rights Commission said it will do all it can to ensure that the recommendations of the report are followed. Enditem

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