Chapter 2: Impact on Teaching and Learning of Educational Policy on Special Needs Education and Inclusion in South Africa

Since 1994 the education system in South Africa has been characterized by far-reaching policy changes reflective of the new democratic government’s desire to restructure and transform a divided, fragmented, and discriminatory education system to a more democratic and inclusive system. Ideals of justice, human rights, and redress based on the South African Constitution (South Africa, 1996a) are at the heart of education policy and legislation. Against this background, the chapter focuses on the process of policy development and the implementation of the recommendations of Education White Paper 6 of 2001. (Department of Education [DoE], 2001)