Inclusive education is one of the major changes in education, which has occurred since the implementation of Education White Paper 6 Special Needs Education; Building an inclusive education and training system. This inevitable change has resulted in many challenges for both educators and educational institutions. According to this policy, educators are expected to cater for all diverse needs of learners in the classroom including learners with epilepsy. Research indicates that educators find it difficult to cope with the demands of these learners and often experience frustration and failure. Educators have received little or no training to provide meaningful support for these learners. Despite policy changes the needs of learners with epilepsy are not met in the classroom. In this research the support programme is developed to provide practical and comprehensive guidelines to assist educators to support learners with epilepsy. / Social work / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study was aimed to explore challenges of students with disabilities in higher education institutions in Namibia, as narrated and illustrated by themselves. Mixed methodologies, with specific reference to a small-scale quantitative survey and extensive qualitative design were employed as tools to understand the prevalence, extent and nature of challenges of students with disabilities in their pursuance of higher education in Namibia. Data was thus collected in two phases. The first phase consisted of a ten-item quantitative-survey which was largely used to determine the prevalence of students with disabilities in higher education institutions, and basic information regarding institutional standpoints pertaining to students with disabilities. Data acquired through this survey confirmed the prevalence of students with disabilities in Namibian higher education institutions. The second phase represented the qualitative design whereby data was collected through three main methodologies namely a narrative diary-based approach, a photo-voice and individual interviews. These methodologies ensured reliability of the data through triangulation. The study confirmed that inclusive education at the higher education level in Namibia was largely achieved through the goal of access, as all higher education institutions have admitted students with observable as well as hidden disabilities. However, a major finding of the study was that support and provision for students with disabilities was rendered in fragmented portions within and across institutions, and that the goals of equity and equality have not yet been achieved to the desired degree, if inclusive education was to become a reality for students with disabilities in higher education in Namibia. Students reported challenges related to physical accessibility of institutions; unavailability of educational material in alternative, as opposed to traditional formats; lack of sensitivity and skills of staff; as well as lack of structured support systems. The study also revealed that, notwithstanding the challenges students faced in their institutions, students with disabilities continued to perform their academic duties to the best of their abilities and were driven by their individual personal philosophies, many of which spoke of perseverance and courage, to make a success of their studies. / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education) / Language Education Arts and Culture

South Africa has recently made a significant move towards support for deaf learners in inclusive education settings. Educators in inclusive classrooms are considered primary resources for the development of the strengths and competencies of these learners. Successful inclusion of deaf learners often depends on the skills of classroom educators. Nevertheless, educators often have little or no knowledge regarding support for deaf learners in inclusive classrooms. The experiences of deaf learners were investigated in order to understand the unique needs of these learners. The aim of the research was to add bottom-up approaches to the range of curriculum adaptations necessary to support deaf high school learners within inclusive education in South Africa. A mixed methods approach was employed, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches in a triangulation research design. The findings that emanated from the quantitative research served to complement the findings from the qualitative study. The results of the empirical study were supported by the literature review to formulate practical guidelines for assisting educators to accommodate the curriculum in order to support deaf learners. These guidelines might enable educators to respond positively to the needs of deaf learners and ensure that their inclusion in the regular school is successful. / Inclusive Education / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Masters Degree in Technology : Operations and Quality Management - Durban University of Technology, 2014 / The study has been influenced by the experience of the researcher in inclusive education. In inclusive education, the educator is required to respond to the diverse individual needs of the learners. Since 1994, the education system has been continually changing, resulting in challenges. A number of policy documents have been published which provide scope for transformation and restructuring in education. The policy on inclusive education has resulted in major challenges in the classroom. This inclusive education policy document states that learners who experience barriers to learning should be accommodated in the mainstream school. The aim of this study was to evaluate the challenges of inclusive education in a mainstream school on the quality of teaching and learning. Primary data was collected for this study using a survey method. A questionnaire consisting of thirty items was used to gather the needed information from all foundation phase educators from fourteen selected schools in the eThekwini region of KwaZulu-Natal province. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Conclusions and recommendations were thereafter drawn from the literature and the findings of the study. The study shows that the general knowledge of the respondents about inclusive education and barriers to learning are somewhat narrow. Most of the respondents have a negative attitude towards inclusive education, which can be attributed to lack of skills and the fact that inclusive education is still in its infancy stage in South Africa. It can be inferred that many of the schools are under-resourced and the implementation of inclusive education would be difficult under these conditions. The success of inclusive education is dependent on quality teacher education and training. A substantial effort is required to successfully implement the paradigm shift towards inclusive education and change the attitude of educators.

Sibling relationships are dynamic within any family context and disabilities add a different and even more complex dimension to a family context. In addition, inclusion is a relatively new concept in South Africa, especially as an inclusive society. This means that it is challenging for a family that has children with disabilities to live and function in the greater society as children with disabilities have specialised needs and expectations. However, siblings of children with disabilities have their own needs and expectations as participating individuals within a family context and within society; therefore it is of relevance to be fully aware of their personal views, perceptions, understanding and challenges they are confronted with. The primary aim of this study was to gain a rich and in-depth understanding of how the disabilities of a child could impact on a non-disabled sibling. With the above mentioned taken into account, siblings of children with disabilities are faced with an array of unique challenges that may change as the siblings develop, therefore, this study focused on siblings who are in their middle childhood phase (six to twelve years old). Qualitative research methods were applied to gain an in-depth understanding of the children‘s experiences and views. The review of the literature provided the theoretical framework against which the qualitative research was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were constructed from the comprehensive literature review. Observations and documents were also used as research instruments to collect descriptive and supportive data. Interpretations were made from the data collected. The literature review exposed and recognised variances regarding sibling experiences about living with children with disabilities. Five information rich participants were interviewed. The findings of this empirical investigation revealed that not all the siblings identified the same experiences as shared experiences of being siblings to children with disabilities. Therefore, it is recommended that the challenges these siblings are faced with should be taken into account since it has been revealed that there seems to be a need to support these siblings and their families. The whole family is a nested system interacting with each other, within the family system and with other systems beyond the family system, including the wider community and society. Thus, siblings need regular, understandable and updated information as they grow up, regarding the challenges the families are faced with, pertaining to the disabilities experienced, within this nested system. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counseling)

Thesis(MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Following the United Kingdoms of Great Britain Government's commitment to social inclusion in the 1990s, dramatic changes have taken place in education policy. A large amount of time and money has been invested into the development of inclusive practices, one of the more recent programmes being the Learning Support Unit (LSU). The LSU programme is seen as a way forward for social inclusion and now it is playing a growing role in the context of national strategies to improve behaviour and attendance. As little evaluation research has been done, this study aims to verify good practice in relation to the guidelines set out by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES, 2002b) and identify whether the LSU programme is truly an inclusive model. Given the commitment to inclusive education the world over, this study also seeks to assess whether the LSU programme would work within the South African Inclusive Education and Training Policy. An interpretive approach was applied to the research undertaking a programme evaluation. The qualitative techniques of interviewing, observations and discussions were used for data collection. Interviews were conducted with LSU managers and their pupils, which were then triangulated with data obtained from observations, informal and focus group discussions. Using an interpretive approach allowed me to become immersed in the research process and develop an intuitive feel for the subject. This enabled more effective verification of good practice in use. Interpreting the experiences and beliefs of LSU managers and their pupils in the London Borough of Hillingdon has verified a range of good practices. It is particularly important that LSUs are an extension of, and fully integrated into, whole school behaviour policy. The LSU programme promotes social inclusion by offering in-school support to pupils with behavioural, social and emotional development needs. These needs are addressed through a short-term fixed period stay in the LSU while the pupils still engage in the curriculum and their reintegration back into class facilitated. The LSU programme could compliment the South African Inclusive Education and Training Policy by offering a viable programme to address challenging behaviour in an inclusive manner. In conclusion, the LSUs have proved to be effective in introducing social inclusion in schools. This is achieved through their uniqueness, which allows them to target the greatest needs in their school. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Onderwysbeleid in die Verenigde Koninkryk het dramatiese veranderinge ondergaan ná die regering van die Verenigde Koninkryk se verbintenis tot sosiale insluiting in die negentigerjare van die vorige eeu. 'n Groot hoeveelheid tyd en geld is bestee aan die ontwikkeling van inklusiewe praktyke. Een van die jongste programme is die Leerondersteuningseenheid (LSE). Die LSE-program word gesien as 'n stap vorentoe in die rigting van sosiale insluiting en dit speel tans toenemend 'n rol in die bepaling van nasionale strategieë vir die verbetering van gedrag en bywoning. Aangesien min evalueringsnavorsing tot dusver gedoen is, beoog hierdie navorsing om goeie praktyk in die lig van die riglyne soos uiteengesit deur die Departement van Onderwys en Vaardighede van die Verenigde Koninkryk (DfES, 2002b) te ondersoek en om te vas te stelof die LSE-program 'n waarlik inklusiewe model is. Met inagneming van die verbintenis tot inklusiewe onderwys wêreldwyd, poog hierdie navorsing ook om te bepaal of die LSE-program binne die Suid-Afrikaanse inklusiewe Onderwys- en Opleidingsbeleid met sukses aangewend sou kon word. 'n Interpretatiewe benadering is gevolg met betrekking tot die navorsing waartydens 'n evaluering van die programme gemaak is. Die kwalitatiewe tegnieke van onderhoudvoering, waarneming en bespreking is gebruik vir die insameling van data. Onderhoude is gevoer met Leerondersteuningseenheid-bestuurders en hulle leerders, wat dan weer getrianguleer is met data wat uit waarnemings, informele besprekings en fokusgroep-besprekings verkry is. Die gebruik van 'n interpretatiewe benadering het die navorser in staat gestelom verdiep te raak in die navorsingsproses en 'n intuïtiewe aanvoeling vir die onderwerp te ontwikkel. Dit het doeltreffender verifikasie van goeie praktyk wat tans gebruik word, moontlik gemaak. Die interpretasie van die ervaringe en oortuigings van Leerondersteuningseenheidbestuurders en hulle leerlinge in die distrik Hillingdon, Londen, het bewys gelewer van 'n reeks goeie praktyke. Dit is veral belangrik dat die LSE-program 'n uitbreiding is van geheelskool- gedragsbeleid, en ook ten volle daarin geïntegreer is. Die LSE-program werk sosiale insluiting in die hand deur inskoolse ondersteuning aan leerlinge met gedrags-, sosiale en emosionele ontwikkelingsbehoeftes te bied. Daar word tydens 'n vasgestelde korttermynbywoning van die LSE na hierdie behoeftes omgesien terwyl die leerlinge steeds by die kurrikulum betrokke is en hulle heropname in die klas gefasiliteer word. Die LSE-program sou as aanvulling tot die Suid-Afrikaanse Beleid van Inklusiewe Onderwys en Opleiding kon dien deurdat dit 'n lewensvatbare program aanbied waardeur uitdagende gedrag op 'n inklusiewe wyse aandag kry. Ten slotte kan genoem word dat die LSE-program as doeltreffend bewys is by die invoer van sosiale insluiting in skole. Dit is vermag deur hulle eensoortigheid waardeur die grootste behoeftes in die besondere skool bereik kan word.

Thesis (MEd(Psych))-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Gifted children represent an important component of a nation's intellectual capital, with the resources to find innovative solutions to scientific and social challenges. Since the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994, limited attention has been paid to gifted education as a research focus. To ensure quality education for all learners, current educational policy supports inclusive education. However, there is a gap between the policies which have been developed and their implementation at grassroots level in the school and classroom. In particular, several recent South African studies on gifted education suggest that gifted learners are at the end of the queue for educational provision. In this qualitative and collective instrumental case study, framed within an interpretive paradigm, I set out to explore the lived experiences of academically gifted Grade 11 learners. I wanted to gain an insight into how it felt to be gifted, and how their experiences played out in the various systems in their respective contexts. A further aim was to assess their specific academic support needs, in order to make a contribution to designing quality education for this particular group. The expression of giftedness is viewed as dependent on the interactions of the child with his or her environment, so Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological model was taken as the theoretical framework for the study. I chose a descriptive multiple case study design, using purposive sampling to select six participants, three from each of two schools in sharply contrasting socio-economic backgrounds in a large rural town. I used three methods of data collection, semi-structured individual interviews, a semi-structured focus group interview, and collages. Qualitative content analysis was used for both phases of data analysis, within-case analysis and cross-case analysis. The findings showed that gifted learners from both affluent and disadvantaged backgrounds faced similar challenges in developing their potential. They often felt neglected and academically under-stimulated. They identified specific deficiencies in both their schools and communities which needed to be addressed to ensure optimal learning opportunities. Despite the similarity of their experiences, the learners from the school in the disadvantaged community had to combat greater challenges than those from an affluent background. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Begaafde kinders verteenwoordig 'n baie belankrike komponent van 'n nasie se intellektuele kapitaal. Hulle beskik oor innerlike bronne om innoverende oplossings vir wetenskaplike asook sosiale uitdagings te bied. Vanaf die aanvang van demokrasie in 1994 in Suid-Afrika, is beperkte aandag aan begaafdekindonderwys as navorsingsfokus gegee. Die huidige onderwysbeleid ondersteun inklusiewe onderwys om sodoende kwaliteit onderrig aan alle leerders te verseker. Daar blyk egter 'n gaping te wees tussen beleidsontwikkeling en die inplementering daarvan op grondvlak, in skole en klaskamers. Verskeie onlangse Suid-Afrikaanse studies oor begaafdekindonderwys dui in die besonder daarop dat begaafde leerders agter in die ry staan as dit kom by voldoende onderwysvoorsiening. In hierdie kwalitatiewe, kollektiewe en instrumentele gevallestudie, ingebed binne die raamwerk van 'n interpretatiewe paradigma, het ek my beywer om die beleefde ervaringe van akademies begaafde Graad 11 leerders te ondersoek. Ek wou insig bekom oor hoe hulle, hulle eie begaafdheid ervaar, asook hoe dit uitspeel in die verskillende sisteme binne hulle onderskeie kontekste. 'n Verdere doelwit van hierdie studie was ook om spesifiek hulle akademiese ondersteuningsbehoeftes te evalueer ten einde sodoende 'n bydrae te lewer ten opsigte van die ontwerp van kwaliteit onderrig vir hierdie spesifieke groep. Die interaksies tussen die kind en sy of haar omgewing speel 'n belangrike rol in die uitdrukking van begaafdheid. Om hierdie rede is Bronfenbrenner se bio-ekologiese model as teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie studie aangewend. Ek het 'n beskrywende, veelvuldige gevallestudie-ontwerp gekies en doelmatigheid-steekproefneming aangewend om die ses deelnemers, drie van twee skole in sterk kontrasterende sosio-ekonomiese agtergronde in 'n groot plattelandse dorp, te selekteer. Ek het drie metodes, naamlik semi-gestruktureerde individuele onderhoude, 'n semi-gestruktureerde fokusgroep-onderhoud asook collages, ingespan om data in te samel. Kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise is gebruik vir beide data-analisefases, naamlik binne-geval-analise en kruis-geval-analise. Die bevindinge het getoon dat begaafde leerders van beide welvarende en benadeelde agtergronde soortgelyke uitdagings ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling van hul potensiaal in die gesig staar. Hulle het dikwels verwaarloos en akademies onder-gestimuleer, gevoel. Hulle het spesifieke leemtes in beide hulle skole en gemeenskappe geïdentifiseer wat aangespreek moet word om optimale leergeleenthede te verseker. Ten spyte van die ooreenkomste in hul ervarings, moes die leerders van die skool in die agtergeblewe gemeenskap groter uitdagings die hoof bied as die leerders van die meer gegoede agtergrond.

This research focuses on the experiences of primary school teachers in providing learning support for learners with mild intellectual disabilities. In South Africa, most learners attend in mainstream schools. Mainstream schools are expected to support learners inclusively. However, most teachers seem challenged to address the learning needs such as those experienced by learners with mild intellectual disabilities. The research was conducted by means of interviews with selected participants over a period of approximately four months. Data was also obtained through the analysis of records such as learners‘ workbooks, test books, support forms used by teachers to record their observation and field notes which were reflected in a journal. Interviews and transcriptions were typed out verbatim. The research produced a number of key findings and concluded that many teachers lack sufficient training to identify and address barriers to learning, especially those with mild intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, the study revealed that support structures at participating research schools seem to be non-functional, and guidance and assistance from the Department of Education is minimal. The findings were used to propose recommendations that could be used by primary school teachers to support learners with mild intellectual disabilities in mainstream schools. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Inclusive education is one of the major changes in education, which has occurred since the implementation of Education White Paper 6 Special Needs Education; Building an inclusive education and training system. This inevitable change has resulted in many challenges for both educators and educational institutions. According to this policy, educators are expected to cater for all diverse needs of learners in the classroom including learners with epilepsy. Research indicates that educators find it difficult to cope with the demands of these learners and often experience frustration and failure. Educators have received little or no training to provide meaningful support for these learners. Despite policy changes the needs of learners with epilepsy are not met in the classroom. In this research the support programme is developed to provide practical and comprehensive guidelines to assist educators to support learners with epilepsy. / Social work / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study was aimed to explore challenges of students with disabilities in higher education institutions in Namibia, as narrated and illustrated by themselves. Mixed methodologies, with specific reference to a small-scale quantitative survey and extensive qualitative design were employed as tools to understand the prevalence, extent and nature of challenges of students with disabilities in their pursuance of higher education in Namibia. Data was thus collected in two phases. The first phase consisted of a ten-item quantitative-survey which was largely used to determine the prevalence of students with disabilities in higher education institutions, and basic information regarding institutional standpoints pertaining to students with disabilities. Data acquired through this survey confirmed the prevalence of students with disabilities in Namibian higher education institutions. The second phase represented the qualitative design whereby data was collected through three main methodologies namely a narrative diary-based approach, a photo-voice and individual interviews. These methodologies ensured reliability of the data through triangulation. The study confirmed that inclusive education at the higher education level in Namibia was largely achieved through the goal of access, as all higher education institutions have admitted students with observable as well as hidden disabilities. However, a major finding of the study was that support and provision for students with disabilities was rendered in fragmented portions within and across institutions, and that the goals of equity and equality have not yet been achieved to the desired degree, if inclusive education was to become a reality for students with disabilities in higher education in Namibia. Students reported challenges related to physical accessibility of institutions; unavailability of educational material in alternative, as opposed to traditional formats; lack of sensitivity and skills of staff; as well as lack of structured support systems. The study also revealed that, notwithstanding the challenges students faced in their institutions, students with disabilities continued to perform their academic duties to the best of their abilities and were driven by their individual personal philosophies, many of which spoke of perseverance and courage, to make a success of their studies. / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education) / Language Education Arts and Culture