| 1. |
Education White Paper 6 on Special Needs Education states that inclusion is about supporting all learners, teachers and the system as a whole, so that the full range of learning needs can be met. Vast numbers of learners still do not succeed and progress in school due to the various barriers they experience to learning. |
| 2. |
As part of its ongoing strategy to find innovative and effective ways to support teachers in dealing with a range of barriers to learning in class, the Western Cape Education Department has produced a CD-ROM on Barriers to Learning. |
| 3. |
The intention of the CD-ROM is, in conjunction with all other support available to teachers, to assist in the process of dealing with the individual manner in which learners experience barriers to learning in class. |
| 4. |
The CD-ROM will help raise teachers’ awareness regarding certain conditions and disabilities. Armed with information, teachers will be able to support such learners successfully so that they can benefit from the teaching and develop to their maximum capacity. |
| 5. |
The information on each barrier to learning included on this CD-ROM is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, to make a diagnosis or to plan medical treatment. It may well alert teachers to instances where professional help must be requested from Support Services or from a medical professional. Teachers should not, however, use the information to label or stigmatise learners in any way. |
| 6. |
The CD-ROM includes teaching tips and strategies to support the learner in class:
These teaching tips and strategies should be incorporated into and become part of the Learning Programme in a phase. As all learners are unique, the teaching tips and strategies suggested in this CD-ROM are by no means a “one-size-fits-all” approach, but rather suggest general ideas which should be adapted to suit the needs of individual learners where applicable. As soon as the need arises for such individual plans in supporting a specific learner, it should be compiled into an Individualised Educational Programme (IEP) and kept in the Learner Profile. Individualised Educational Programmes for learners with special needs should be written with the support of the school’s Teacher Support Team and the EMDC’s District Support Team. |
| 7. |
The CD-ROM is available from Edumedia at R20.00 per copy (excluding packaging and postage). An order form has been attached for your convenience. |
| 8. |
Feedback on this CD-ROM, positive or negative is welcomed.
Contact details:
Ms Kobie Kitshoff
Kkitshoff@pgwc.gov.za
Fax 021 467 2620 |
| 9. |
It is hoped that the information on this CD-ROM will make a positive contribution towards assisting teachers to plan for academic achievement by all learners and to cater to their affective needs by dignifying their differences and celebrating their similarities. |
SIGNED: JP RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:09:30
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