Supporting parents with the paradigm shift for inclusive education

Abstract

Once the process of inclusive education and training system begun in South Africa in October 1996 with the appointment of the National Commission on Special Needs in Education and Training (NCSNET) and the National Committee on Education Support Services (NCESS), there were many anxieties and fears amongst parents about inclusion proposals. The White Paper 6: Building an inclusive education and training system (DoE, 2001 :50) alerts us to the fact that there were strategic areas of change such as to establish partnerships with parents so that they can be armed with information, counselling and skills, participate more effectively in the planning and implementation of inclusion activities, and so that they can play a more active role in the learning and teaching of their children. The purpose of this study is to support some of the NCSNET/NCESS strategic areas of change such as mobilising public support (e.g. parents) for inclusive education. The study focused mainly on the support of parents of learners without special educational needs (SEN) with a paradigm shift towards inclusive education. In addressing this, the study recognises the involvement of parents in the change process and support mechanisms around the point of a paradigm shift. The paradigm shift or mind-shift and support for parents of learners without SEN will be essential for the attainment and maintenance of an inclusive society and an inclusive education and training system. In recognising the challenges faced by the parents of learners without SEN in the present involvement of parents within inclusive education, the researcher found it necessary to look into the aspect of paradigm shift and support for parents. The researcher decided to undertake this study in order to answer the posed questions namely: ► What is the status quo of parents of learners without SEN about inclusive education? ► How to ensure that parents of learners without SEN accept disability so as to realize a successful inclusive education? ► Why it is important for parents to support one another? ► What programmes will be put in place to help parents adapt to paradigm shift? The literature study on the below mentioned issues were undertaken to support the aim of the study; The parents' attitude towards LSEN. Involvement of parents in inclusive education. Parents' support regarding inclusive education Lastly, parents-learner support for inclusive education. The afore-mentioned literature study would be supplemented by the observation among educators-parents from selected schools, and parents of learners without SEN. The researcher used a qualitative interview survey with selected parents of learners without SEN who work at the organizations of people with disabilities, and a quantitative questionnaire survey. From the data collected during this research study, the researcher critically analysed and interpreted the data. The researcher found that there are still fears and misunderstanding regarding the support of parents for inclusive education. In contrast with this, the data revealed that many parents do not understand inclusive education. In contrast with these, the data revealed that even if parents do not understand inclusive education, parents are more than willing and prepared to be given efficient education and support about inclusive education so that they can easily accept inclusive education. The researcher came to the conclusion that with the provision of support for parents, change/a paradigm shift will be effectively effected by parents for the success of inclusive education.