INC4801 Assignment 2 2025 (Answer Guide) - Due 21 July 2025

INC4801 Assignment 2 2025 (Answer Guide) - Due 21 July 2025 Question 1: Inclusive Education in the South African Context Inclusive education in South Africa refers to a system that acknowledges and accommodates the diverse learning needs of all children, ensuring that every learner regardless of ability, socio-economic status, language, or background has access to quality education within mainstream settings. This model promotes the dismantling of barriers to learning and participation and is guided by the principle that all children can learn, given the appropriate support and environment (Department of Education, 2001). In the South African context, inclusive education is of critical importance due to the country's historical legacy of apartheid, which created vast inequalities in education and systematically excluded learners with disabilities and other marginalised groups. Post-1994 democratic reforms have sought to redress these injustices through policies that promote equity, redress, and access to education for all. South Africa’s rich socio-cultural diversity comprising multiple languages, ethnic groups, and cultural traditions presents both opportunities and challenges for inclusive education. While diversity enriches the classroom experience, language barriers, cultural attitudes toward disability, and persistent social prejudices often hinder full inclusion. For example, in some communities, disability is still stigmatised or seen as a curse, leading to the marginalisation of affected learners and families (Nel et al., 2016). Economically, South Africa is marked by significant inequality, with many learners in rural areas and townships facing poverty, malnutrition, lack of access to assistive devices, and overcrowded classrooms. These conditions