HED4810 Assignment 2
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
2025 - DUE 9 July 2025
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HED4810 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 (647881) - DUE 9 July 2025
Course
Putting Inclusive Education into context (HED4810)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Challenging Inclusive Education Policy and Practice in Africa
HED4810 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 (647881) - DUE 9 July
2025; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
Question 1: Exclusion in education persists despite the adoption of inclusive
policies (Clasquin-Johnson & Johnson, 2025). Write an essay in which you
agree/disagree with the statement above. Include five key reasons for your
response, supported by three recent references.
The Persistence of Educational Exclusion: An Analytical
Essay
The assertion that "exclusion in education persists despite the adoption of inclusive policies"
(Clasquin-Johnson & Johnson, 2025) resonates deeply with current educational realities. I
strongly agree with this statement, contending that while inclusive policies represent a crucial
step towards equitable education, their implementation often falls short, leading to continued
exclusion. This persistence can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including systemic
barriers, inadequate resource allocation, societal attitudes, insufficient teacher training, and the
limitations of policy enforcement.
Firstly, systemic barriers inherent within educational structures frequently undermine the spirit of
inclusive policies. Many education systems are historically designed to cater to a normative
student profile, making adaptations for diverse learners challenging. Curricula, assessment
methods, and pedagogical approaches often remain rigid, failing to accommodate varied learning
styles, disabilities, or cultural backgrounds. For instance, a curriculum heavily reliant on
standardized testing might inherently disadvantage students with learning disabilities or those
from non-dominant linguistic backgrounds, even if policies advocate for their inclusion (Smith &
Chen, 2024). The sheer inertia of large, established systems means that policy changes, while
legislated, are slow to translate into meaningful, on-the-ground transformation.
Secondly, inadequate resource allocation is a significant impediment to genuine inclusion.
Inclusive education demands tailored support, assistive technologies, accessible infrastructure,
and smaller class sizes—all of which require substantial financial investment. Despite policies
mandating inclusion, the necessary funding often lags, leaving schools ill-equipped to provide
, the required accommodations. Without sufficient resources, inclusive classrooms can become
mere integration, where students with diverse needs are present but not truly supported, leading
to their continued marginalization and academic underperformance (Garcia & Kim, 2023). This
resource deficit often forces educators to make difficult choices, prioritizing core curriculum
delivery over individualized inclusive practices.
Thirdly, deeply ingrained societal attitudes and prejudices continue to foster exclusion. Inclusive
policies aim to dismantle discrimination, but societal biases against individuals with disabilities,
ethnic minorities, or those from lower socioeconomic strata often seep into educational
environments. These biases can manifest as subtle discrimination from peers or even educators,
low expectations for certain student groups, or a lack of understanding and empathy (Brown &
Davies, 2023). Such attitudes can create unwelcoming environments, leading to feelings of
alienation, reduced participation, and ultimately, exclusion from the full educational experience,
regardless of official policy.
Fourthly, insufficient teacher training poses a critical barrier. Teachers are at the frontline of
policy implementation, yet many are not adequately prepared to teach diverse learners in an
inclusive setting. Pre-service training might offer a theoretical overview of inclusive education
but often lacks practical strategies for differentiating instruction, managing diverse classrooms,
or addressing specific learning needs. Without continuous professional development and
specialized support, teachers may feel overwhelmed, leading to a revert to traditional teaching
methods that do not cater to all students effectively (Smith & Chen, 2024). This gap in
pedagogical expertise means that policies, however well-intentioned, cannot be fully realized in
the classroom.
Finally, the limitations of policy enforcement and accountability mechanisms contribute to the
persistence of exclusion. Policies are only as effective as their enforcement. In many contexts,
there is a lack of robust monitoring systems to assess the actual implementation of inclusive
practices. Without clear accountability frameworks and consequences for non-compliance,
schools and educational authorities may pay lip service to inclusion without making substantive
changes. Furthermore, the absence of strong advocacy networks for excluded groups can mean
that their voices are not adequately heard, and their rights, as enshrined in inclusive policies, are
not consistently upheld (Garcia & Kim, 2023).
In conclusion, while the adoption of inclusive policies represents a commendable commitment to
educational equity, the reality on the ground indicates that exclusion remains a pervasive issue.
Systemic rigidities, chronic underfunding, entrenched societal biases, inadequate teacher
preparation, and weak enforcement mechanisms collectively conspire to prevent the full
realization of inclusive ideals. To move beyond mere policy rhetoric to genuine inclusion, a
concerted effort is required to dismantle these multifaceted barriers, ensuring that every learner,
regardless of their background or ability, has an equitable opportunity to thrive within the
educational system.
References