INC4802
ASSIGNMENT 1 2023
,QUESTION 0NE:
Learning theories for inclusive teaching 30 marks Read Pages 1-4 of the Teaching
Strategies for Inclusivity study guide, Dr. Mary G.Glasquin -Johnson, Department of
Inclusive Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria. Also, read the following
documents and answer the questions that follow: Department of Education. (2001)
White Paper 6 on Special Education Needs: Building an Inclusive Education and
Training System: First Steps. Pretoria. DoE. Department of Basic Education, (2015).
Consolidated Report on the Implementation of Inclusive Education. Pretoria. DBE.
UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation). 1994.
The Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education.
New York: UNESCO. Chapter 11 in Okeke, C, Van Wyk, M & Phasha, N. (2014).
Schooling, society, and inclusive education: an Afrocentric perspective, Cape Town:
Oxford University Press.
1.1. After reading the above articles and Chapter 11, use your own words to summarise
the definition of the concept of “Inclusive Education” from each of the others. Also
suggests which of the five definitions you would prefer to use in your study. (10)
According to the Department of Education's White Paper 6 on Special Education
Needs, inclusive education is a system of education that caters to the diversity of all
learners in a way that responds positively to their specific learning needs, differences,
and disabilities. The Department of Basic Education's Consolidated Report on the
Implementation of Inclusive Education defines inclusive education as an approach that
seeks to address the diverse needs of all learners by ensuring that they have equal
access to quality education. The Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on
Special Needs Education by UNESCO views inclusive education as a way to respond
to the diversity of learners by ensuring that all children, regardless of their physical,
intellectual, emotional, or social conditions, have access to quality education. Chapter
11 in Okeke, Van Wyk & Phasha's book, "Schooling, society, and inclusive education:
an Afrocentric perspective," describes inclusive education as an approach that
recognizes and values diversity while promoting equal access to education for all
learners.
Of the five definitions, I would prefer to use the definition from UNESCO's Salamanca
Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education as it emphasizes the
importance of providing quality education for all learners, irrespective of their
physical, intellectual, emotional, or social conditions.
, 1.2. The historical development of inclusive education in South Africa. If you
are based in another country, consider the following:
1.2.1. How did inclusive education develop in my country? (10)
In the United States, the movement towards inclusive education can be traced
back to the 1950s and 1960s when parents of children with disabilities began
advocating for their right to access public education. This led to the passing of
the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) in 1975, which
mandated that all children with disabilities had the right to a free appropriate
public education in the least restrictive environment.
In 1990, the EAHCA was reauthorized and renamed as the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law further strengthened the rights of
students with disabilities to access education in the general education setting
and provided additional supports and services to ensure their success.
Since then, there have been ongoing efforts to promote inclusive education and
ensure that students with disabilities are included in all aspects of school life.
These efforts have included changes to teacher education programs to better
prepare teachers to work with diverse learners, the implementation of universal
design for learning principles to make learning accessible to all students, and
the use of assistive technology to support students with disabilities in the
classroom.