An encounter with the Deaf community at university propelled Aisha Lasania into a teaching career informed by a desire to bridge divides and confront inequalities. Growing up in a family devoted to activism, both social and political, not only gave her a value system, but also formed the foundation of her teaching career.
Miss Lasania, as she is known by her pupils at SPARK Midrand High, is a South African Sign Language (SASL) teacher to Grades 8 and 9. SASL was introduced as a Second Additional Language at SPARK High Schools in 2023 at SPARK Blue Downs High, Western Cape, and this year it was expanded to three of the Johannesburg High Schools. This is SPARK Schools’ way of providing scholars with a new way to engage with diverse communities.
As the world commemorates UNESCO’s World Teachers’ Day on October 5, aimed at raising awareness, understanding and appreciation for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development across the globe, Miss Lasania exemplifies this vital contribution.
“Being born into a family of activists meant that the passion for standing up against injustice was ingrained in me from an early age. That passion found a natural extension in my university life, where I encountered the Deaf community and their ongoing struggles with communication barriers. It was at the University of the Witwatersrand, one of the few institutions in Johannesburg that offers South African Sign Language (SASL) as a course, that I truly found my calling.
“I entered the programme with no prior experience in sign language, but I was quickly swept up in a journey of beauty, passion, and purpose. This wasn’t just an academic pursuit—it was a personal mission to break down barriers,” she explains. Realising that the research pool for sign language in South Africa is incredibly small, Miss Lasania was motivated to contribute to the field in a meaningful way, pursuing three degrees, each centred around SASL, disability, activism, and politics.
Teaching at SPARK Midrand High gives her the opportunity to prepare the next generation with a language that transcends verbal communication. “Through teaching SASL, we are equipping scholars not just with a language skill, but with the empathy and understanding to be leaders in creating an inclusive society. Each of these scholars will leave school with the ability to communicate with Deaf individuals, contributing to a future that values diversity in all its forms,” she says.
She says there has been great interest from scholars in this subject as they see it as an opportunity to learn a new language that transcends verbal communication and promotes inclusion. “Diversity in schools foster understanding and inclusion. It prepares scholars to live in a world where differences are celebrated and everyone’s voice, including the Deaf community, is valued,” she says.
“My journey at SPARK Schools is just beginning, but it’s one full of purpose and passion. Together, I believe we can build a future where inclusion is not just an aspiration but a reality, one that transcends race, gender, ideology, language, and ability.”