The social context of the special education debate in South Africa

ABSTRACT

As a newly independent country, South Africa is faced with an enormous task of providing educational services to its previously neglected African population, including the estimated 12 per cent of the population that has disabilities. Beginning with an overview of the development of special education in South Africa, this paper includes a brief description of the general educational structure, an historical background of South Africa's special education services and discussions of legislation, administration, policy issues, prevalence data and service delivery. Critical educational issues being debated in the country are reviewed; these centre on the amalgamation of an education system that was previously fragmented on racial lines, eradication of a racial ideology that marginalized and denied access to a free and compulsory education to some members of the population and creating access to education for all with the limited resources and funds available. Reform in special education will require: (a) expanding services to all racial groups; (b) transforming the curriculum from one of oppression to one of empowerment; (c) preparing teachers to form partnerships and to work with families and related disciplines; (d) developing culturally sensitive assessment instruments in the diverse African languages; and (e) delivering culturally sensitive and competent instruction grounded in the South African context.