Die insluiting van 'n leerder met downsindroom in 'n hoofstroomskool

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study was undertaken to identify key aspects related to the promotion of theeffective inclusion of a learner with Down Syndrome in a mainstream school and at thesame time to give close attention to the implementation of the principles of inclusiveeducation. The study was done over a period of four years in an Afrikaans mediumprimary school in a large rural town. The Educational Management and DevelopmentCentre (EMDC) in the region in which the school is situated is currently promoting andimplementing inclusive education and the proposals set out in the Education WhitePaper 6. The findings of this study will be used to support and encourage this process(also at grassroots level) as well as the inclusion of learners with Down Syndrome.The study takes the form of a single case study and falls within aninterprevistlconstructivist paradigm. Qualitative research methods were used todevelop an understanding and an insight into the key aspects in order to promote thesuccessful inclusion of learners with Down Syndrome. The primary methods ofinvestigation were four individual interviews and one focus group interview witheducators. The data generated in this manner was verified by means of recentliterature, observations and available documents.During the process of data analysis the data were reduced to four themes relating tothe inclusion of learners with Down Syndrome: attitudes and views with regard toinclusion, the address of specific challenges with which mainstream education ispresented, specific strategies for promoting inclusion and the value that inclusionholds for mainstream education. The findings show that the principles of inclusiveeducation and the educational practice associated with it do take into account thebarriers to learning and development that learners with Down Syndrome experience:these barriers can be addressed within mainstream education. The key aspectsattached to this depend mainly on the attitudes and views of the school and parentcommunity, the address of the challenges such a learner presents, the use of specificeducational and teaching strategies to promote inclusion and the acknowledgment ofthe value that inclusion holds for mainstream education.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University