INC3701 (inclusive education)assign 4 2025

1.1 Discuss five key challenges faced by learners in South Africa that contribute to school dropout. Use examples from the article to support your answer. (10) (1) Hunger and Food Insecurity Many children arrive at school hungry because they have had no supper the night before and little or no breakfast. The article cites that 2.4 million children reported going hungry sometimes, often, or always. For some, the only meal they get is from the school’s feeding scheme or a teacher buying food with their own money. (2) Unsafe and Long Travel to School Learners often have to walk very long distances—over 10 km each way in rural areas—or wait in long queues for multiple buses and taxis. Their journeys can be dangerous due to weather, transport strikes, taxi violence, or even the risk of stray bullets in places like the Cape Flats. (3) Overcrowded and Poor Learning Environments Classes are large (up to 60 learners), with bare walls and barred windows, creating uninspiring and uncomfortable learning spaces. Teachers face pressure to rush the curriculum, resulting in dull lessons that fail to engage learners. Sometimes, children even have to run classes themselves when teachers are absent. (4) Bullying and Violence at School Nearly half (48%) of Grade 5 learners in no-fee schools report being bullied weekly. Girls also face high levels of sexual violence, both during their commute and at school—sometimes even from teachers. Corporal punishment is still used by many teachers despite being banned, even for minor issues like lateness. (5) Lack of Support at Home After school, many learners return to empty homes. They may have to do chores, care for siblings, and cope with violence in the home. With no adul….