10 | Greenstone education
A
september 2017
For any parent, their child’s education is a priority. In this issue, we answer some of the
most common questions and showcase some of the area’s top schools.
W
e all learn in different ways, have
different interests and talents. Not only
do we have different learning styles
and ways of learning, but we also
have different kinds of ‘intelligences”.
The more we know about how a child
learns and what interests him or her, the
more we can know and develop his/her
strengths. This is especially important for children who
experience difficulties in school or who have a disability of
some kind. Below are some of the questions parents often
ask.
I am not sure that I have a proper understanding of
what Inclusive Education in South Africa really means?
According to our constitution every child has the right
to education. However some children are excluded from
schools and some children struggle to learn successfully
even though they have been admitted to schools. Inclusive
Education recognises the diversity of children’s learning
needs and strives to provide schooling, be it at special or
mainstream schools, that supports each child to reach his/
her full potential You can approach the School Governing Body (SGB)
about making provision for your child. An Inclusive
Education System, as promoted in Education White Paper
6 (2001), requires that ordinary schools make provision for
children with disabilities wherever possible, and schools
can seek support from their local district office.
My child is struggling in school. Should we be
considering special schooling?
Talk to your child’s teacher to find out what they
recommend. In an Inclusive Education System every
effort should be made to provide support to a child at his/
her current school before a move is suggested. Assistance
from the Learning Support teacher, volunteer reading
programme, or extra lessons can all be ways of helping
your child. Focus on his/her strengths to boost confidence. My child is dyslexic. What can I do to help?
Find out as much as you can about the condition via the
internet and/or IESA Resource Centre. Talk to your child’s
teacher to find out if she/he has experience of children
with this type of learning difficulty. Children with dyslexia
are often very bright and need opportunities to learn and
express themselves in ways other than by reading and
writing. Discuss with the teacher alternatives?
My child has Down Syndrome and I would like him to
be included in mainstream school. What are my rights?
Inclusion of children with Down Syndrome and other
forms of intellectual disability has become common
practice in some countries. Many children with DS can
learn to read and write, and interaction with non-disabled
peers can help them to learn good language and social
skills. The SA Schools Act makes provision for the
education of learners with special education needs at
ordinary public schools where reasonably practicable.
My child is in a wheelchair and our local school does
not have wheelchair access. What are our rights?
My child is on a special school waiting list and is
currently at home, what can we do?
You should apply to your local mainstream school to see
if they can accommodate your child whilst waiting for
special school admission. If he/she is of pre-school age
then try to enrol him/her in a preschool or educare centre
near to where you live. All young children benefit from a
stimulating early learning environment, regardless of any
disability.
I am worried that my child is not coping in school.
Should I have him assessed, and how do I go about it?
First of all consult your child’s teacher about your concern.
She/he will possibly reassure you, or will confirm that your