An exploratory study of inclusion of learners with visual impairment into mainstream schools : the learners' parents' and educators' perspectives
- Authors: Ngxata, Ncediwe Gratia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Blind -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Blind children -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Children with visual disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape People with visual disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Parents of children with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:5954 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008096
- Description: The study explores the experiences of inclusion of learners with visual impairment into mainstream schools in Mdantsane and Duncan Village in the Eastern Cape. The learners previously attended a special school away from home for the visually impaired in Port Elizabeth. The study delves into the barriers to inclusion as identified by the parents, educators and learners. A study of this nature was essential as many learners with visual impairment, are sent away to special schools on the grounds that they are unfit to attend mainstream schools when they could do well in mainstream schools when provided with appropriate support. As inclusive education is fairly new in South Africa, studies of this kind provide the Department of Education with some understanding of what the situation is with regard to the implementation of inclusive policies. The study attempts to establish from the participants what they think inclusive education is, the reason for introducing inclusive education, the barriers to inclusive education and the kind of support required to implement inclusive education in South Africa. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. A sample of educators, learners and parents was selected from two high schools and one primary school. Coding was used in data reduction and analysis. The study revealed that some learners, educators and parents are not totally against inclusive education as long as they could be provided with the necessary support. The study also revealed the excitement of learners and parents about attending nearby schools which are close to their homes. However two parents and learners are not satisfied due to lack of support and would rather go back to special school. The study ends with recommendations about how inclusive education could be intensified to ensure that learners with disabilities benefit from the mainstream schools. There is no doubt that this research study will be a strong contribution towards inclusive education initiatives particularly with regard to learners with visual impairment in the Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Ngxata, Ncediwe Gratia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Blind -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Blind children -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Children with visual disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape People with visual disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Parents of children with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:5954 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008096
- Description: The study explores the experiences of inclusion of learners with visual impairment into mainstream schools in Mdantsane and Duncan Village in the Eastern Cape. The learners previously attended a special school away from home for the visually impaired in Port Elizabeth. The study delves into the barriers to inclusion as identified by the parents, educators and learners. A study of this nature was essential as many learners with visual impairment, are sent away to special schools on the grounds that they are unfit to attend mainstream schools when they could do well in mainstream schools when provided with appropriate support. As inclusive education is fairly new in South Africa, studies of this kind provide the Department of Education with some understanding of what the situation is with regard to the implementation of inclusive policies. The study attempts to establish from the participants what they think inclusive education is, the reason for introducing inclusive education, the barriers to inclusive education and the kind of support required to implement inclusive education in South Africa. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. A sample of educators, learners and parents was selected from two high schools and one primary school. Coding was used in data reduction and analysis. The study revealed that some learners, educators and parents are not totally against inclusive education as long as they could be provided with the necessary support. The study also revealed the excitement of learners and parents about attending nearby schools which are close to their homes. However two parents and learners are not satisfied due to lack of support and would rather go back to special school. The study ends with recommendations about how inclusive education could be intensified to ensure that learners with disabilities benefit from the mainstream schools. There is no doubt that this research study will be a strong contribution towards inclusive education initiatives particularly with regard to learners with visual impairment in the Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Aspects pertinent to the provision of sustainable water supply projects in the Eastern Cape Province: a case study of Nomzamo Water Supply Project
- Authors: Mpendu, Daluhlanga Ayford
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nomzamo Water Supply Project Water-supply -- South Africa -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:5952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007450
- Description: This study explores views behind the failure of water supply projects to achieve sustainability, primarily from the 'users' perspective, and at a secondary level from the perspective of the government/funders. One completed water supply project was selected as a case study for the research project. The overriding principle behind the water infrastructure delivery programme is that the service must be provided in a sustainable manner, and that the community must actively participate and be involved in all the phases of the project. The provision of water is not simply as it might look. In reality it is a complex process, which involves a number of organisations with different, yet important roles and responsibilities. Ongoing collaboration is important among these organisations if the service is to be provided efficiently and in a sustainable manner. In particular, local government has a Constitutional obligation to provide services to all consumers in an efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable manner. The National and Provincial governments, however, have a number of responsibilities in the field of water services. Semi-structured interview method was used to collect data from respondents. Two sets of interview schedules were developed, one for the community/water project committee members, and the other for the government officials. The data collected was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. This analysis enabled the researcher to draw findings, make conclusions and propose recommendations. The findings and conclusions of the study point to lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities; gender and cultural constraints; and, poor training and capacity and building of the community as being some of the reasons for the failure of the project. The recommendations proposed entail, inter alia, massive community mobilisation and awareness creation programmes; improvement in levels of the service; adoption of a gender-sensitive approach to project development; and, implementation of a training and capacity building process in the community in order to 'revitalise' the project. The study has merely focussed on one water project and sets the scene for further exploration of the subject. It certainly highlights some critical issues around sustainability of water projects, and hopefully will contribute towards the ongoing debate in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Mpendu, Daluhlanga Ayford
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nomzamo Water Supply Project Water-supply -- South Africa -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:5952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007450
- Description: This study explores views behind the failure of water supply projects to achieve sustainability, primarily from the 'users' perspective, and at a secondary level from the perspective of the government/funders. One completed water supply project was selected as a case study for the research project. The overriding principle behind the water infrastructure delivery programme is that the service must be provided in a sustainable manner, and that the community must actively participate and be involved in all the phases of the project. The provision of water is not simply as it might look. In reality it is a complex process, which involves a number of organisations with different, yet important roles and responsibilities. Ongoing collaboration is important among these organisations if the service is to be provided efficiently and in a sustainable manner. In particular, local government has a Constitutional obligation to provide services to all consumers in an efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable manner. The National and Provincial governments, however, have a number of responsibilities in the field of water services. Semi-structured interview method was used to collect data from respondents. Two sets of interview schedules were developed, one for the community/water project committee members, and the other for the government officials. The data collected was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. This analysis enabled the researcher to draw findings, make conclusions and propose recommendations. The findings and conclusions of the study point to lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities; gender and cultural constraints; and, poor training and capacity and building of the community as being some of the reasons for the failure of the project. The recommendations proposed entail, inter alia, massive community mobilisation and awareness creation programmes; improvement in levels of the service; adoption of a gender-sensitive approach to project development; and, implementation of a training and capacity building process in the community in order to 'revitalise' the project. The study has merely focussed on one water project and sets the scene for further exploration of the subject. It certainly highlights some critical issues around sustainability of water projects, and hopefully will contribute towards the ongoing debate in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
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