Answer to Question #301127 in English for Mthoga

Question

Question 2

2.1 Critically analyse the progress of the implementation of policies and legislation on Inclusive

Education in South Africa or any other country of your choice. Provide a critical analysis of the

policies related to Inclusive Education. Why do you think that many countries, including South

Africa, are failing to implement these policies? (10)

2.2 State the most important points on the Salamanca Statement. (5)

2.3 State the declarations made by the following international policies and legislation on

Inclusive Education.

2.3.1 Universal declaration of Human Rights (united Nations 1948). (2)

2.3.2 Convention on the rights of the Child (United Nations 1989). (2)

2.3 3 World Declaration on Education for All (United Nations 1990). (2)

2.3.4 Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for persons with Disabilities (United

Nations 1993). (2)

2.5 Give eight (8) requirements for the advancement of social cohesion and democracy. (8)

Answer 1

2.1 South Africa has adopted an inclusive education policy in order to address barriers to learning in the education system. However, the implementation of this policy is hampered by the lack of teachers’ skills and knowledge in differentiating the curriculum to address a wide range of learning needs. In this paper we provided a background to inclusive education policy in South Africa and a brief exposition of an instructional design approach, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) that addresses a wide range of learning needs in a single classroom. Since 1994, when democracy was established in South Africa, there has been a radical overhaul of government policy from an apartheid framework to providing services to all South Africans on an equitable basis. The provision of education for learners with disabilities has been part of that process and the development of an inclusive education system can be traced back to the nation’s founding document, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act No. 108 of 1996 (Republic of South Africa 1996). Many countries, including South Africa, are failing to implement these policies because of lack of parental participation, heavy workload, inadequate training for teachers, multi-grade challenges, and lack of resources.

2.2 The most important points on the Salamanca Statement is the education of all disabled children.

2.3.1 The Universal Declaration includes civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy. It also includes economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to social security, health and education. Universal declaration of Human Rights declared that; we are All Born Free & Equal, Don't Discriminate, The Right to Life, No Slavery, No Torture; we’re All Equal Before the law, and Your Human Rights Are Protected by Law.

2.3.2 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities. The convention declared that children have the right for help from the Government if they are poor or in need. Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and mental needs. The Government should help their families, if they cannot afford to provide this. Every child has the right to an education.

2.3.3 World Declaration on Education for All (1990) declared that every person - child, youth and adult - shall be able to benefit from educational opportunities designed to meet their basic learning needs.

2.3.4 Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for persons with Disabilities (United Nations 1993) declared that persons with disabilities and their families should be encouraged to involve themselves in rehabilitation, for instance as trained teachers, instructors or counselors. Disabled persons have the same rights as other people to take their proper place in society. They should be able to live freely and as independently as possible.

2.5 The requirements for advancement of social cohesion and democracy include freedom of assembly, association and speech, inclusiveness and equality, citizenship, consent of the governed, voting rights, freedom from unwarranted governmental deprivation of the right to life and liberty, and minority rights.