Special Education
During apartheid, race was not the only thing that was criteria for segregation. People with disabilities were also discriminated against. There were specific schools for white children with disabilities, and specific schools for black and colored children with disabilities. The disability schools for black and colored children did not have the same resources that disability schools for white children had.
After apartheid, the South African Department of Education developed a new policy for special education. It is called "Building an Inclusive Education and Training System." The policy provides a road map for special education and education services, The aim of the policy is to create special needs as a non-racial and integrated component of the education system. This is inclusive education. The inclusive policy is not limited to basic education; it extends to all three bands of the school structure (General, Further, and High Education.) Students with disabilities are mainstreamed with their peers.
"South Africa promotes inclusive education because:
After apartheid, the South African Department of Education developed a new policy for special education. It is called "Building an Inclusive Education and Training System." The policy provides a road map for special education and education services, The aim of the policy is to create special needs as a non-racial and integrated component of the education system. This is inclusive education. The inclusive policy is not limited to basic education; it extends to all three bands of the school structure (General, Further, and High Education.) Students with disabilities are mainstreamed with their peers.
"South Africa promotes inclusive education because:
- It acknowledges that all children can learn;
- It enables education structures, systems and methodologies to meet the needs of all children;
- It can contribute to the quality of education for all;
- it enables children with disabilities to stay with their families and communities;
- It is part of a wider strategy to promote an inclusive society; and
- It is consistent with the key principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."
This image shows the process of handling special education in the education system of South Africa. Students with disabilities are first mainstreamed. If this doesn't work, the other support levels are tried. The final option is Elsen Schools. Elsen schools are specifically for students with disabilities. In these schools, students are given the one-on-one attention they need.
Sources:
http://www.cec-ohio.org/SouthAfricaTrip.htm
http://www.education.gov.za/Programmes/InclusiveEducation/tabid/436/Default.aspx
http://www.cec-ohio.org/SouthAfricaTrip.htm
http://www.cec-ohio.org/SouthAfricaTrip.htm
http://www.education.gov.za/Programmes/InclusiveEducation/tabid/436/Default.aspx
http://www.cec-ohio.org/SouthAfricaTrip.htm