Thesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / The focus of this research study is on learning support to learners in rural schools as experienced by learning support professionals and teachers in order to identify best-practices and the obstacles experienced in this regard. It was envisaged that continuous exploration of current practices could assist in identifying ways to support the development of inclusive education. The research questions to address this aspect were: What is the nature of learning support in rural schools as experienced by teachers? and What is the nature of learning support in rural schools as experienced by learning support professionals? The aim of this study was therefore to explore and describe the nature of learning support in rural schools, in order to make some recommendations to learning support professionals, teachers and education authorities to ensure the effective development and implementation of learning support strategies in rural schools. The research study was conducted from a qualitative approach, utilising explorative, descriptive and contextual research designs. Purposive sampling was employed and data saturation determined the sample size. The findings were based on a structured analysis framework. Ethical aspects included informed consent, voluntary participation and confidentiality