Being in a mainstream environment can be a very positive experience for a special needs child.

The inclusion of learners with special needs or learning barriers into mainstream classes is part of a universal human rights movement. South Africa’s Constitution states that all people are equal and have equal rights, including the fundamental right to basic education prohibiting unfair discrimination. Under the South African Schools Act of 1996 all public schools must admit all learners and see to their education needs.

Linda van Duuren, a consultant and narrative practitioner says: “Being in a mainstream environment can be a very positive experience for a special needs child. They can be part of society. When you are in a mainstream environment, you learn mainstream behaviour socially, emotionally and physically.”

Read more about when your child doesn’t fit in.

celebrating difference

“All children are entitled to an education,” says a special needs co-ordinator at a Cape Town school. “As much as children with special needs can benefit from being in a mainstreaming environment, so too can the other learners benefit from what these children have to offer.

Ann Morton is principal at Pinelands North Primary in Cape Town. She says: “Our ethos is that everyone is different, and we’ve seen how fast and easily the children accept this. We talk about differences in class and assembly. Children don’t see these differences as things to tease and bully about anymore. It’s astonishing how this ethos has radically and positively changed the school,” she says.

mainstream success

“Many schools are scared of including special needs children,” says Morton, adding that some mainstream teachers would need additional training. However, overall being inclusive was not so difficult. And she believes academic weakness should not exclude a child from a mainstream school.

Van Duuren adds: “Children with specific educational needs can enrich society because they make others look at what they have in common as human beings rather than focusing on what the differences and challenges.”

Find out more about mainstream schooling for children with Down’s syndrome.

facilitating learning

Academically, schools generally present two options: the children either do the same work as the rest of the class with help from their facilitators or they have their own individual academic programme.

Mainstreaming special needs children can be an expensive business for parents. Many have to hire facilitators to guide their children through the social and academic difficulties that mainstream school presents. Costs also increase when the children need occupational therapy, physiotherapy or speech therapy – as many special needs children do.

In South Africa, several ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority) offer accredited facilitator training courses.

Find tips for ensuring educational success for autistic learners.

special needs concerns

Not all special needs children do better in a mainstream school. Melony Dace, headmistress of the junior prep school at St Stithian’s College in Johannesburg, says: “We will accommodate such children with coming into our environment if it is in their best interests to be here and if we have the correct resources.”

Read more about financial planning for children with special needs. 

Dr Glenda Hicks, a counselling and educational psychologist based in Johannesburg, has over 40 years of experience in this field. She has some concerns about mainstreaming special needs children.

“These children need special help. Only when a child can cope and be stimulated will mainstreaming be in their best interests. Otherwise they can literally ‘drown’, which is detrimental to the child.”