Implications, Challanges & History of Inclusive Education

Question 1

Discuss the central findings of the NCSNET and NCESS report. (5)

Answer 1

1. Learners with learning barriers were marginalized, under-resourced & segregated during apartheid education system – called special education. Learners were called learners with specials needs.
2. Found that specialised education & support was offered on racial basis with best human, physical & material resources being provided for whites.
3. Most learners with disabilities were either not in special schools or never attended school. The few that were in normal schools were not able to have needs sufficiently met.
4. Found that the curriculum & education system generally has not been able to successfully accommodate diverse needs of learners causing a huge number of learners to drop out of, be pushed out or fail the system.
5. Found that even though some attention has been given to special needs & support in schooling phase it has been seriously neglected in other levels or bands.

Question 2

Discuss five reasons for the movement towards an inclusive education (10)

Answer 2

Minister of education initiated an investigation into the status of everything to do with special needs and support in order to address the situation.
The NCSNET and NCESS found that:

1. Learners with learning barriers were marginalized, under-resourced & segregated during apartheid education system – called special education. Learners were called learners with specials needs.
2. Found that specialised education & support was offered on racial basis with best human, physical & material resources being provided for whites.
3. Most learners with disabilities were either not in special schools or never attended school. The few that were in normal schools were not able to have needs sufficiently met.
4. Found that the curriculum & education system generally has not been able to successfully accommodate diverse needs of learners causing a huge number of learners to drop out of, be pushed out or fail the system.
5. Found that even though some attention has been given to special needs & support in schooling phase it has been seriously neglected in other levels or bands

From these findings it was determined that the way forward would be that
1. Needed to provided quality education for all learners so that all could reach their full potential.

2. Needed to give all learners equal educational opportunities & address special needs
3. Needed to fight exclusion & be able to identify learning barriers
4. Needed to prepare learners for life and work after school
5. Needed to create a unified education system
6. Needed to address the human right that everyone is entitled to access education & development.
7. It made good education sense
8. It made good social sense
9. It promoted the right to live and learn together despite age race gender or other facts

Question 3

List five implications of inclusive education

Answer 3

1 To acknowledge that all learners can learn & need support
- Focus on what learner can do
- Focus on strengths & abilities
2 All diverse learning needs can be met by overcoming barriers in system
- All learners are different
- System must accommodate all diverse needs so learners can reach full potential
3 Include learners who were previously disadvantaged
4 Accepts learners as they are
5 Addresses causes of learning barriers & development
- Overcoming barriers
- Prevention
- Barrier—free environment
- All services accessible to all

Question 4

Inclusive Education is it justifiable? If ‘yes’ give five (5) reasons for your answer. If not give five (5) reasons for your answer

Answer 4

1 I agree with the statement that inclusive education is justifiable as it is an effective response to the ineffective system that was used before it to deal with learners with barriers and disabilities.
2 It is based on the idea that education is a basic human right. Meaning that everyone regardless of their diverse needs is entitled to an equal share of education & that educational institutions should therefore give all children access to the same education system.
3 It promotes acceptance and diversity - Its aim is to be inclusive of all learners and all their diverse learning needs.
4 Its aim is also to put an end to discrimination.
5 It encourages everyone to respect one another.
6 It allows all learners to participate in all learning activities.

Question 5

Discuss the challenges to the teacher as a supporter of learners who experience barriers to learning in your phase of specialization

Answer 5

1 Support inclusion
2 Make people aware of inclusive education
3 Embrace diversity
4 Change perception & attitude
5 Address barriers or needs of all learners
6 Accept people who are different & have learning barriers & stop discrimination
7 Identify & assess learning barriers
8 Plan & implement support programme
9 Adapt teaching strategies