The development of education for learners with diverse learning needs in the South African context: A bio-ecological systems analysis

African Journal of Disability

 
 
Field Value
 
Title The development of education for learners with diverse learning needs in the South African context: A bio-ecological systems analysis
 
Creator Smit, Suegnet Preston, Lynn D. Hay, Johnnie
 
Subject Education Psychology; Learner Support; Inclusive Education special education; challenges; diversity; inclusive education; bio-ecological systems analysis
Description Background: Prior to 1994, special education in South Africa was marginalised and fragmented; therefore, the new democratic government promoted inclusive education as a means to transform education in general and diverse education in particular. However, transformation in diverse education is seemingly moving forward at a snail’s pace – too slow to benefit all learners experiencing barriers to learning and development.Objectives: This article serves a dual purpose: firstly, to apply a bio-ecological approach to highlight the historic development of diverse education and, secondly, to explore the interactive processes within the systemic levels in the South African education system, which affects the learner on the person dimension of the bio-ecological approach.Method: A document analysis approach was utilised to collect information by exploring a large body of research literature, which included academic articles, reports, policies and policy reviews. Data were categorised within the systems of the bio-ecological model to determine successes and challenges at each level.Results: Results from the bio-ecological systems analysis of related literature revealed not only many successes but also many challenges that inhibit change, growth and development in the South African education system, even more so for children experiencing barriers to learning.Conclusion: The transformation process of change from what was to what should be, regarding diverse education, seems to be stuck at what is and not moving forward to what could be. It has not transformed significantly enough to fill the gap between reality and the envisaged aim or dream of quality education for all.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor Not applicable
Date 2020-02-10
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Literature Review
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ajod.v9i0.670
 
Source African Journal of Disability; Vol 9 (2020); 9 pages 2226-7220 2223-9170
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/670/1293 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/670/1292 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/670/1294 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/670/1284
 
Coverage South Africa 1910-2019 Not applicable
Rights Copyright (c) 2020 Suegnet Smit, Lynn D. Preston, Johnnie Hay https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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