Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF EDUCATION In the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education of the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2009. / The aim of this investigation was to establish primary school educators’ readiness for inclusive education. From the literature study it emerges that inclusive education constitutes a challenge to the education system in South Africa, in particular to mainstream educators. Successful implementation of inclusive education requires educators to have the necessary knowledge, skills, competencies and support to accommodate a wide range of diversity among learners in an inclusive classroom. They must be able to select appropriate teaching strategies to achieve specific outcomes. Effective inclusion will only stay a dream if educators do not have necessary training, support system and appropriate resources. For the purpose of the empirical investigation a self-structured questionnaire, to be completed by educators from primary schools, was utilized. The data obtained from the complete questionnaires were analyzed and commented on by means of descriptive statistics. In conclusion a summary was presented on the findings of the literature review and empirical investigation and the following are some of the recommendations that were made: • Opportunities for in-service training regarding inclusive education must be made available to mainstream educators. • Pre-service training courses to address the special needs of LSEN should form part of the curriculum at institutions that train educators. The Department of Education must provide adequate support to educators concerning all aspects of inclusive education.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-119).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-119). Also available in print.