Teachers as change agents in making teaching inclusive in some selected rural schools of Limpopo Province,South Africa: implications for teacher education |
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| Authors: | Mahlapahlapana Themane Hlabathi Rebecca Thobejane |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Education Studies, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africamahlapahlapana.themane@ul.ac.za;3. Department of Education Studies, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTThis paper reports on teachers as change agents to implement inclusive education in some rural secondary schools in South Africa. The study followed a qualitative case study research methodology. Eight teachers were recruited to form part of the study through a purposive sampling strategy. Data were collected through interviews, observations and document analysis. The study found that: (a) teachers were resilient in the face of lack of resources to implement inclusive education, (b) teachers did their best despite lack of capacity to implement inclusive education, (c) teachers showed the willingness to effect change, and (d) when they collaborated with others, they achieved more. These findings have at least four implications for teacher education: One that institutions should train teachers to survive with meagre resources. Two, professional development initiatives should be planned to capacitate teachers on inclusive education. Three, teacher education institutions should develop programmes that include models of teacher agency such as the one displayed by these teachers. Four, teacher education should develop programmes that teach teachers how to collaborate with parents and other stakeholders to make inclusive education possible. |
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| Keywords: | Inclusive education teacher agency collaboration professional development teacher education |
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