Experiences of students with disabilities in technical vocational education and training colleges

African Journal of Disability

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Experiences of students with disabilities in technical vocational education and training colleges
 
Creator Muzite, Precious Gasa, Velisiwe
 
Subject — students with disabilities; physical disabilities; learning disabilities; technical vocational education and training (TVET); decolonial theory; evidence-based resources (EBRs); evidence-based action
Description Background: Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in South Africa is often viewed as the ‘Cinderella’ of higher education, with many matriculating students choosing mainstream universities instead. This preference stems from stigma and misconceptions that label TVET students – often from poorer working-class backgrounds – as less intelligent than their university peers. The lived experiences of students with physical and learning disabilities in these institutions are particularly underexplored.Objectives: This study aimed to illuminate the experiences of students with disabilities at five TVET colleges in Gauteng, South Africa.Method: Using a phenomenological approach, the study conducted story exercises and individual interviews with a convenience sample of 40 students with disabilities.Results: The findings reveal that TVET education predominantly serves black students from marginalised backgrounds, with students with disabilities facing significant barriers in accessing both the curriculum and the physical environments of the colleges. Despite numerous challenges, a resilient narrative emerged among these students, rooted in African traditional values.Conclusion: This article contributes to knowledge on disability inclusion in higher education by showcasing the challenges and resilience of students with disabilities in South Africa’s TVET system.Contribution: The study employed innovative methodologies, such as picture stories, to co-create knowledge with students living with disabilities.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor University of South Africa, College of Education
Date 2024-11-27
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1477
 
Source African Journal of Disability; Vol 13 (2024); 10 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/1477/3012 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1477/3013 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1477/3014 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1477/3015
 
Coverage — — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Precious Muzite, Velisiwe Gasa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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