This study aims at examining capacity building for Foundation Phase Mathematics teachers in curriculum differentiation in Limpopo Province. Proceeding within the framework of inclusive education, it takes as its point of departure two issues which are collectively critical for learner performance in Mathematics, namely, teacher capacity and differentiated instruction. The study revolves around the view that for improved learner achievement in Mathematics, particularly in lower grades, instructional practices aimed at supporting learners should be differentiated; and, that for this to be possible, teachers should be equipped with the capacity needed to carry out curriculum differentiation. This view emerges from the convergence of three problems which constitute the motivation for conducting this study. The first problem is poor learner achievement in Mathematics in South Africa, which is a subject dominating the public media and scientific discourse. The second problem is a documented general lack among teachers of appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for modification and adaptation of curriculum to the differentiated needs of learners. The last problem is the changing curriculum policy context in which teachers work as represented by the current national curriculum policy taking place against the backdrop of the broader South African education transformation agenda, geared towards inclusion. Underlying these problems is the recognition of curriculum as constituting one of the barriers to inclusive education.Based on an assumption that poor performance of learners in the Foundation Phase Mathematics is due to teachers’ inability to differentiate curriculum and their lack of the necessary capacity, this study adopts a qualitative research design and follows a qualitative approach to examine the problem. Data was collected by means of interviews, observations and document analysis. Twelve Mathematics teachers from three purposively selected schools and one curriculumadvisor from one circuit participated in the study. Data were analysed by means ofBraun and Clarke’s method of thematic analysis. The results present the challenges that Foundation Phase Mathematics teachers face, which include inability to respond to learner diversity and inadequate training in curriculum differentiation. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The advent of democrary in South Africa in the early 1990's led, due to choice or circumstances, to the influx of numerous learners whose home language is an indigenous language, into school environments where the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) is English. These learners are confronted with the challenge of mastering the curriculum content while simultaneously learning English in which it is couched and instructed. When the LoLT differs from learners’ home language, this difference can be an educational barrier, which if not addressed timeously and effectively, may become a major challenge to a fully inclusive education system. The main aim of this research was to investigate whether Grade 4 English second language learners who experienced barriers to English as LoLT were supported in all subjects. The research also probed how effectively these learning support strategies were being implemented under the guidance of SBSTs at mainstream schools. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Upon close examination of Education White Paper 6: Building an Inclusive Education System, it became evident that, special schools have a crucial role to play. EWP6 clearly outlines the roles of special schools as resource centres. This entails a paradigm shift from a medical to a social model.The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of resource centres in supporting learners who require high levels of support, in an inclusive education system in the Pietermaritzburg district. The study was conducted at a special school with 23 respondents. The triangulated data were collected through participant observations, open-ended questionnaire and interviews. This study revealed that not only are SSRCs totally committed to the paradigm shift but SSRCs are “leading " the way with regard to implementing inclusive strategies like SIAS process, the curriculum changes and alternate means of assessment. SSRCs are valuable resources that are currently under utilized. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The National Commission of Special Needs in Education and Training (NCSNET) Document (1997) which portrays the new Education Policy in South Africa. clearly states that one of the crucial outcomes is that all possible barriers to learning must be eliminated so that all learners are able to actualise their full potential. Inclusive education, as embedded within the Education Policy, is regarded as an approach which will allow learners to actualise their full potential. This study is a critical reflection on whether inclusive education is practised in primary schools in the Thohoyandou area. The research findings indicated that inclusive education is not practised in the Thohoyandou area. A major factor or barrier in this regard is that teachers and principals are not empowered in terms ofknowledge to practise inclusive education. Other factors acting as barriers to the implementation of inclusive education are that the school buildings do not cater for physically and visually impaired learners as well as the attitudes of teachers, parents and peers are inclined to be negative towards learners experiencing barriers to learning. The community should also be educated and empowered to assist and understand these learners, who will become the future members of the community, more effectively, As inclusive education is one of the means whereby all learners are given the opportunity to actualise their full potential, these barriers must be addressed so that inclusive education can be practised in all primary schools in the Thohoyandou area. A few strategies to implement inclusive education in the Thohoyandou area are suggested by the researcher. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Special Needs Education)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Die wereldwye neiging in die onderwys wat bekend staan as lnsluiting is teweeggebring deur die reg van elke individu op onderrig, soos vasgele in die Universele Verklaring van Menseregte van 1948, tesame met die hernieude onderneming van die wereldgemeenskap' op die Wereldkonferensie oor Opvoeding vir Almal van 1990 om daardie reg, ten spyte van individuele • verskille, te verskans. Aile aanduidings is dat Suid-Afrika ook die beleid van lnsluiting sal aanvaar in die regering se pogings om die onderwys te hervorm. Hierdie beleid van lnsluiting hou groot implikasies in vir die onderwyser in, die gewone skole, aangesien hulle beida die voorwerp en die . agent is van sodanige hervorming. Daar word aanvaar dat die onderwyser se houding teenoor leerders in die algemeen 'n belangrike rol speel met betrekking tot die sukses van die onderrig- en leergebeure in die klaskamer. Hierdie houding word dikwels bepaal deur die · onderwyser se kennis van leerders in die klaskamer en sy vaardighede met betrekking tot hul onderrig. In die lig van die literatuurstudie, wat daarop dui dat onderwysers nie voldoende opleiding ontvang om aan die behoeftes van leerders met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes te voldoen nie, word in hierdie navorsing die houding van die onderwyser in die gewone skool teenoor die leerders met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes soos dit in die praktyk openbaar word bepaal. / The right of every individual to education, as enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the renewing of the pledge made by the world community at the 1990 World Conference on Education for All to ensure that right, regardless of individual differences, gave rise to the worldwide trend in education known as Inclusion. All indications are that South Africa will also adopt the policy of Inclusion as part of the government's efforts to reform education. The policy of Inclusion has major implications for the teachers in the ordinary school, as they are both the subjects and the agents of reform. It is generally believed that teachers' attitudes towards learners plays a major role ·in the success of the teaching-learning events in the classroom. These attitudes are often influenced by .. the teachers' knowledge of the learners in their classrooms and their skill in teaching them. In view of literature that suggests that teachers are not adequately trained to meet the needs of learners, with special Educational needs, this study undertakes to investigate the attitude of teachers in the ordinary school towards learners with special educational needs, as it manifests in practice. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Ortopedagogiek)

The study, “Teacher support in the inclusive primary school: addressing barriers to learning in the classroom”, aims to investigate teacher support in addressing and reducing barriers to learning, particularly in primary school. The objective of the introduction of the Education White Paper 6 of 2001 was to ensure that learners with different learning needs are accommodated in ordinary or mainstream schools, with the support of the District-Based Support Team (DBST) and the School-Based Support Team (SBST). Although the schools have established a team to support teachers to address barriers to learning in the class, it seems teachers are not getting the expected support from the SBST. Therefore, an investigation on teacher support addressing barriers to learning was explored. This qualitative study employed interviews, observations and document analysis as methods of data collection. The study was collected in one primary school situated in an informal settlement in Tshwane South District in Gauteng, with eight teachers from Grade 1 to 7 as participants. Creswell’s method of data analysis was adopted, and the findings revealed that the following were factors affecting teachers when addressing barriers to learning: challenges with diverse-needs learners, systemic challenges and challenges of teacher support. Recommendations from the study were given. Key topics for future research are regarding the role of the SBST and DBST in supporting teachers, teachers’ intervention strategies, training, monitoring and evaluation, and teacher development. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The main assertion in this dissertation is that there is a lack of adequate and appropriate parental involvement in the education of learners with mild intellectual impairment in mainstream schools in Sisonke District. Empirical research was conducted to understand the perceptions of parents and teachers of the involvement of parents in the education of learners with mild intellectual impairment in mainstream schools. The focus was on parents and teachers in an extreme poverty context in Sisonke District of KwaZulu-Natal. A qualitative investigation of parental involvement in five mainstream schools was conducted by collecting data through interview, observation and documents analysis with ten parents and five teachers. The literature that was reviewed focused on the factors that increase and hinder parental involvement, prevalence of intellectual impairment, theories related to family, school and community partnership and inclusive education. The research has revealed that the lack of adequate and appropriate parental involvement at mainstream schools admitting learners with mild intellectual impairment is influenced by factors such as poor socio-economic background, high illiteracy, cultural beliefs, and parents’ denial of intellectual impairment, diversity, lack of teacher training in parental involvement, lack of healthy inclusive climate characteristics, parents’ attitudes and perceptions. The investigation further found that there is an urgent need for teachers to acquire knowledge, skills and strategies for active involvement of parents in inclusive mainstream schools. Each School Management Team (SMT) should strive to create a climate of inclusion that displays healthy school characteristics in order to improve parental involvement in mainstream schools. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

This study investigates the role of cultural diversity on social wellness in a diverse school setting. It explores the views of learners and teachers on issues pertaining to cultural diversity and social wellness in the school. An integrative lens encompassing Hettler’s (1970) wellness theory and Letseka’s (2000) Ubuntu principle were used as the framework to guide the study. The interpretivist paradigm was used because the research method for this study is qualitative in nature. Purposive sampling was used in this study where fifteen participants were selected. The approach used is a case study, with the case being a multicultural primary school in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Unisa’s Ethics Committee. Furthermore, permission was granted by the Department of Basic Education and the school’s principal. All participants signed consent and assent letters before data were collected. Learner participants gave their assent to take part in the study after consent had been obtained from their parents and guardians prior to the commencement of data collection. Data collected reflected the participants’ understanding of the need and means to promote social wellness within a culturally diverse school setting. It also suggests that it is possible to make diversity work for, instead of against us as is advocated for by Sheets (2005). The themes that emerged from collected data were: knowing one another as well as each other’s cultures, respect for equality and human dignity, loving kindness and compassion towards everyone, practicing good manners and discipline towards everyone, positive social interaction/desired attitude and also leading by example. These themes form guidelines that can be used in promoting social wellness in the school. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The implementation of inclusive education is a challenge to most educators. The real challenge lies in the management of inclusive education. The researcher, therefore, adopted a qualitative approach to understand the participants ’understanding of inclusive education and to answer the research questions that sought to explore the phenomenon of inclusive education as presented in chapters one and five. Chapters two and three presented the latest developments, policies and practices related to inclusive education, as well as management of inclusive education. A sample of five primary school principals and fifteen educators was chosen. Data was collected through in-depth individual semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews. It emerged from the literature study that inclusive education has become a reality in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and abroad. Most schools in these countries have been changed into full service schools. For example, in South Africa Tshiluvhi primary School became Tshiluvhi Full Service primary School. This shows that the government of South Africa accepts that learners with disabilities are part of the community and, therefore, have a right to receive equal and quality education.Although inclusive education is a reality in the above-mentioned countries, there are many obstacles that are still to be overcome. For instance, the issue of fiscal constraints, negative attitudes to disability, lack of support services, rigid teaching methods, teacher expertise, teacher training, time management and large class sizes are major impediments to the realisation of effective inclusive education. The same constraints were also raised during the interviews by most of the participants. Most educators and principals complained that management of inclusive education is compromised by lack of resources. Recommendations based on the findings of this study revolve mainly around the introduction of internal workshops, provision of resources and building enough classrooms to reduce the learner-teacher ratio. It was revealed during the interviews that members of the institutional level support teams and the principals of the selected primary schools were aware of their roles in managing inclusive education. For example, they manage finances to ensure the successful implementation of inclusive education and support and monitor teachers in the implementation of inclusive education.The study hopes to contribute to the existing body of knowledge and to be useful to teachers and various stakeholders by enabling them to find more constructive ways of building a successful inclusive education system. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education management)

The rationale for this study was to investigate the implementation of the THRASS literacy programme on a deaf learner who uses the spoken language approach. Particular emphasis was given to the role played by the Phoneme Machine together with Cued Speech. THRASS focuses on phoneme-grapheme correspondence by explicit phonics instruction to develop word analysis and recognition skills. Cued Speech is used as an instructional tool to facilitate visual access to auditory-based phonology. The research was framed within the Interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative case study design predominated, although the launch and landing of the study was quantitative in nature. The findings indicated that the auditory-based phonology of the English language may be accessed by a deaf learner, when supported by a visual instructional tool such as Cued Speech in synchronicity with speech-reading, to develop print literacy skills. This study opens the gateway to further enquiry on enhancing deaf literacy levels. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)