They open special school for learners (9)
I believe the answer is:
neophytes
'learners' is the definition.
(neophyte is a kind of learner)
'they open special school' is the wordplay.
'special' is an anagram indicator.
'school' becomes 's' ().
'they'+'open'='theyopen'
'theyopen' anagrammed gives 'neophyte'.
'neophyte'+'s'='NEOPHYTES'
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for neophytes that I've seen before include "Novices" , "Newcomers" .)