A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education (Educational Psychology) in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Needs Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2015 / Currently, South Africa is in phase two of implementing 50 full-service schools (FSS) and further development is said to be based on results from immediate to short-term results (DoE, 2005a). Concerns over the new development relate to whether resources are sufficient and available to further expand the provision of FSS and, overall, whether the Education White Paper 6 (EWP6) has been implemented successfully in phase one. This research therefore evaluates the implementation of EWP6 within selected phase one FSS in the Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) province. Purposive sampling was used and the researcher selected institutional-level support team (ILST) members within FSS to participate (n=43 participants). Questionnaires were self-administered and designed to address the following research questions: Have policy objectives been met in the implementation of EWP6 within FSS? What are the barriers to implementing EWP6 within FSS? And, what strategies have ILST members used to overcome these challenges? The questionnaire elicited both quantitative and qualitative data which was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and thematic analysis. Some schools reported successes which include the enrolment of learners who experience diverse barriers to learning and optimistic attitudes among ILST members regarding possible benefits of inclusive education and their theoretical knowledge of multi-level teaching. Barriers to implementation of the EWP6 within FSS include inadequate resources (human, educational, physical and financial), inadequate support provision to FSS and ILST, inadequate training and subsequent training support and a lack of involvement from parents and communities. Many participants are unsure of how to overcome these challenges but, undoubtedly, are in need of support from communities, parents and the Department of Education (DoE).

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Educational Psychology in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Needs Education at the University Of Zululand, 2018 / The dispute of inclusion is one that has not only been a challenge for South African schools but for the country as a whole. The success of the implementation of the inclusion policy will not only talk to the progress at the schools in South Africa (SA), but it will also provide us with a glimpse of the nation’s progress towards the implementation of democracy itself. Considerable work has been done internationally with regards to the practicality of full-service schooling; however, a limited expanse locally. The objectives of the study were: (i) To determine the nature of experiences of primary school teachers in full service schools; and (ii) To establish if there is any relationship between the teachers’ experiences in full service primary schools and the variables of interest: gender, age, qualification, race and teaching experience. In order to address the study questions, a mixed method research design was employed. A sample of 63 teachers in Full Service Schools (FSSs) in Umlazi district was purposefully selected based on experience and expertise. For data collection, self-developed questionnaires comprising a demographic information section and a Likert-type inventory were used. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) accounted for statistical and descriptive analysis; and Thematic Analysis for qualitative analysis. The findings of this study revealed that a greater number of teachers had positive experiences within FSSs in Umlazi district. However, disabling conditions that prevent teachers to be completely convinced of Inclusive Education (IE) were found to be: Lack of support from the Department of Education (DoE), teachers’ perceived incompetency when dealing with impaired children, insufficient resources, maltreatment of disabled children by their non-disabled peers, lack of parental support, large class sizes and shortage of staff. With regards to the variables of interest in relation to the experiences of teachers in FSSs, it was discovered that: male teachers expressed more positive experiences than their female counterparts; it appeared that the higher the qualification, the more teachers felt confident about teaching in FSSs; more Indian teachers reported having favorable experience than black African teachers; and teachers with more years of teaching experience indicated optimism towards teaching in FSSs than teachers with less teaching experience. Recommendations from the current study suggest that teacher pre-service training be tailored in accordance with the requirements of teaching in a FSS. Workshops and conferences should be conducted to provide teachers with recent updated teaching material that will allow them to stay relevant with the IE curriculum. Furthermore, psycho-education around the maltreatment of disabled children should be provided to schools and communities in an attempt to bring awareness about disability and advocacy against the exclusion and the ill-treatment of the disabled. Again, psycho-education should be provided to families to bring awareness regarding the importance of the caregiver’s active role in the academic and personal life of a child. This would entail the process of providing education and information to families of children that attend FSSs. These recommendations would bridge a gap in the challenges that are experienced in FSSs.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Concern has been raised that South Africa does not have a sufficient supply of scientists and engineers in the 21st century. Yet, the potential that resides in learners with cerebral palsy is often not recognised or realised by policy makers. It is argued that society cannot afford to deprive itself of the potential for scientific progress that resides, and all too often remains untapped, in the minds of people with disabilities (Burgstahler, 1994, 1995; Burgstahler and Nourse, 2000). The study contends that the under-representation of black learners with cerebral palsy (from disadvantaged backgrounds) in career fields and higher education programmes related to biology is not unrelated to: (i) our sociopolitical history; (ii) the 'outcome' of a particular method and content of teaching; (iii) lack of role models, i.e. successful professionals with physical disabilities; and (iv) the low expectations of learners, teachers, parents and the society as a whole. The purpose of the study was first of all to listen to the voices of learners with cerebral palsy in an attempt to find out if (and why) they have low expectations regarding career prospects in the biology fields. Secondly, it was to uncover the various barriers that might have contributed to such low expectations and under-representation of learners with cerebral palsy in biology related careers. The central concern of the study was whether or not black learners with cerebral palsy from disadvantaged backgrounds had low expectations of (career) possibilities in biology, and if so, why? A qualitative research design (in terms of five critical stages espoused by Carspecken, 1996) was used as framework for the study. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted in an attempt to foreground the voices of the learners. An analysis of the results and findings indicated black learners (with cerebral palsy) with above-average performance in biology, mathematics and physical science, expressed an early interest and love for science and biology and a desire to pursue higher education studies related to those fields. However, the study found that learners with cerebral palsy who entered higher education biology and science related programmes did not complete their studies. Furthermore, that the under-representation of black learners with cerebral palsy, especially from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, could be linked to low expectations from teachers, academics in higher education institutions, parents, medical staff and guidance counsellors. The study contends further that if transformation is about removing all forms of discrimination, then the context where the potential of learners are developed - namely the schools, homes, workplace, and higher education institutions - needs to be re-examined. Moreover, the study attempted to raise awareness of the importance of an inclusive biology curriculum that: The study contends further that if transformation is about removing all forms of discrimination, then the context where the potential of learners are developed - namely the schools, homes, workplace, and higher education institutions - needs to be re-examined. Moreover, the study attempted to raise awareness of the importance of an inclusive biology curriculum that: (i) includes flexible teaching approaches, accommodation strategies and assistive technologies that adequately accommodate learners with cerebral palsy in the biology classroom; (ii) explores partnerships between various stakeholders to heighten awareness of mentoring, internship programmes and role models in biology and related careers; and (iii) effectively prepares and facilitates transition of black learners with cerebral palsy to biology related career fields in higher education and the workplace. (i) includes flexible teaching approaches, accommodation strategies and assistive technologies that adequately accommodate learners with cerebral palsy in the biology classroom; (ii) explores partnerships between various stakeholders to heighten awareness of mentoring, internship programmes and role models in biology and related careers; and (iii) effectively prepares and facilitates transition of black learners with cerebral palsy to biology related career fields in higher education and the workplace.

The purpose of my case study research is to explain the development trajectory of Special Needs Education policy in South Africa. I also intended to establish whether this policy reform trajectory could be explained as “non-reform” in Special Needs Education. The development path of policies has been widely researched and explained in relation to theories of change. Over the past decade there has, however, been a growing body of knowledge that has moved the theoretical basis for the development of policy from a traditional linear and causal model to a more complex, dynamic model of change. I was able to draw from both models to engage in my case study research on the development of the Special Needs Education policy. This policy eventually culminated in a Government White Paper on Special Needs Education. My primary research question is to understand why the policy on Special Needs Education did not emerge in South Africa when it was widely expected. I examined “up close” the views, perspectives and understandings of policy makers to establish the reasons for the non-emergence of the Special Needs Policy in South Africa. On closer analysis, I found that not only was there a significant delay between the policy formulation and policy adoption, but that this had created a critical policy vacuum in the Special Needs Education system in South Africa, which warranted an explanation. I found that the main reasons for the “policy-lag” were situated in the intended paradigm shift from a medical based model to an eco-systemic model, the intended restructuring of the special school system, logistical factors, and the availability of resources. This study addresses a gap in the related literature by its focus on the policy-making process for Special Needs Education in a transitional context. Its significance lies in shifting explanations of policy reform from the domain of the causal-linear to a political account of the process. The research was guided by a conceptual framework that combined the linear and iterative models of the policy development processes with the conceptual devices of “theory of action” and “theory in use”. The role of specific paradoxes and the ensuing tensions was formulated using qualitative content analysis. The study produced several new findings with regard to the factors that affect education policy-making in South Africa. Principal amongst these findings was the observation that the politics of participation was the main factor constraining the speed and direction of policy development in Special Needs Education. The findings of this research warrant several conclusions regarding the implementation and the dynamic nature of policy-making. The study concludes with suggestions for future research in policy-making related to Special Needs Education in South Africa. / Thesis (PhD (Education Management and Policy Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

Resting against a background of local and international movements in respect of human rights, South African educators have had to implement a new curriculum, accept diversity and address inclusive education with little or no training, insight and knowledge. Challenges at all levels in education, impact on the successful education of children and the future of young adults who must as equal members of society enter a fast changing global economy. Challenges for educators in South Africa are unique. The lack of knowledge and training for educators and an inadequate infrastructure of the country present as some of the challenges for educators. This qualitative study deals with the subjective experiences of educators in primary schools. The research indicates that when these challenges are addressed educators will be both, better supported and disposed, towards the implementation of inclusive education idealised as the panacea for social transformation in South Africa. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.

Since 1994, the South African education system has undergone a number of paradigm shifts culminating in the implementation of the policy of Inclusive Education as highlighted in Education White Paper 6: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System. The purpose of this research was to explore how foundation phase learners who experience severe intellectual barriers to learning are provided with high levels of support at special schools in the Pietermaritzburg district. A case study design was embarked upon as this allowed for an in-depth exploration of the above research question. Three special schools in the Pietermaritzburg district that cater for learners who experience severe intellectual barriers to learning were chosen for this investigation. Quantitative and qualitative research methods, consisting of questionnaires, interviews and observation were utilised. The findings reveal that educators at these schools do provide high levels of support to foundation phase learners who experience severe intellectual barriers to learning. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Resting against a background of local and international movements in respect of human rights, South African educators have had to implement a new curriculum, accept diversity and address inclusive education with little or no training, insight and knowledge. Challenges at all levels in education, impact on the successful education of children and the future of young adults who must as equal members of society enter a fast changing global economy. Challenges for educators in South Africa are unique. The lack of knowledge and training for educators and an inadequate infrastructure of the country present as some of the challenges for educators. This qualitative study deals with the subjective experiences of educators in primary schools. The research indicates that when these challenges are addressed educators will be both, better supported and disposed, towards the implementation of inclusive education idealised as the panacea for social transformation in South Africa. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.

Since 1994, the South African education system has undergone a number of paradigm shifts culminating in the implementation of the policy of Inclusive Education as highlighted in Education White Paper 6: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System. The purpose of this research was to explore how foundation phase learners who experience severe intellectual barriers to learning are provided with high levels of support at special schools in the Pietermaritzburg district. A case study design was embarked upon as this allowed for an in-depth exploration of the above research question. Three special schools in the Pietermaritzburg district that cater for learners who experience severe intellectual barriers to learning were chosen for this investigation. Quantitative and qualitative research methods, consisting of questionnaires, interviews and observation were utilised. The findings reveal that educators at these schools do provide high levels of support to foundation phase learners who experience severe intellectual barriers to learning. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The primary aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of professional teacher development for a group of teachers at full-service schools (FSSs), who are the implementers of inclusive education according to Education White Paper 6, the inclusive education policy in South Africa. The researcher used ontological and epistemological assumptions, as well as specific social research methodologies. This created a scientific grounding for the findings of the study. The methodology included a qualitative research approach and research design. Focus group interviews and observation were used for data collection. In this study purposive sampling was used. The participants in this study were chosen because of their teaching experience at full-service schools; sampling was therefore done with a purpose. Phenomenology is used in the study to decide what happens in the lived experiences of the focus group interviewees, who were teachers at full-service schools. This helped the researcher to better understand the needs and problems of the participants. During qualitative data analysis the information was organised, arranged and prepared systematically and classified into themes and categories and then coding followed. The analysis showed that in the absence of an appropriate model for professional teacher development for FSSs, the teachers at the schools were not in a position to implement inclusive education adequately. The researcher proposes a framework that is based on the ecological systems theory of Bronfenbrenner, taking the intervention collaborative framework designed by the researcher based on findings and recommendations into consideration. The collaboration among stakeholders in the different levels would encourage teamwork in the development of the FSS teacher. The full-service school teacher is influenced by various elements, the learner with diverse needs in the classroom, members of the management team, the school-based support team and colleagues at school. Members of the district-based support team, the school governing body, as well as members from the wider school community all have an influence on a teacher’s development as a professional person. / Inclusive Education / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education)