A review of the implementation of inclusive education in Zimbabwe: challenges and opportunities

Authors

  • Patrick Sibanda Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe

Keywords:

Inclusive education, Zimbabwe, Challenges, Opportunities

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to, using literature, examine the various challenges faced in the implementation of inclusive education in Zimbabwe. Existing opportunities for the implementation of inclusive education were also explored. Literature indicates that challenges of implementing inclusive are more visible in sub-Saharan Africa than in the other parts of the world. The main challenges that were identified during review and synthesis of literature as affecting Zimbabwe in particular included lack of resources, inaccessibility of schools, ambiguity or complete lack of policies and laws, structural barriers, cultural stereotypes and negative attitudes, lack of political will, low teacher-pupil ratio, curriculum inaccessibility and research concerns. It also emerged from the review that opportunities such as the vast interest the government of Zimbabwe has invested in general education since 1980 which has culminated in the construction of several mainstream schools and training of specialist and special education teachers can be exploited for full inclusion of learners with disabilities. From the information gathered, the review concluded that the major causes of the many challenges affecting Zimbabwe are lack of political will, unclear policies and lack of funding. Meanwhile, the existing opportunities were seen to have potential for the successful implementation of inclusive education in Zimbabwe. On these bases, the review recommended mainly raising awareness among educational stakeholders, standardization of training, policy review, improved funding and restructuring of the implementation strategy.

References

Allan, J., 2012. The inclusion challenge. Dordrecht, Springer.

Bornman, J., Rose, J., 2010. Believe that all can achieve: Increasing classroom participation in learners with special support needs. Pretoria, Van Schaik.

Chimhenga, S., 2016. Resource material barriers: The challenges of implementing inclusive education in primary schools of Zimbabwe. Global J. Adv. Res., 3(6), 526-532.

Croll, P., Moses, D., 2000. Ideologies and utopias: Education professionals’ views of inclusion. Eur. J. Spec. Needs Educ., 15(1), 1-12.

Donohue, D., Bornman, J., 2014. The challenges of realising inclusive education in South Africa. S. Afr. J. Educ., 34(2), 1-14.

Farlow, L.A., 1996. Quartet of stories: How to make inclusion work. Educ. Leader., 53(5), 51-55.

Hanko, G., 2005. Towards an inclusive school culture: The effective curriculum. In: Nind, M., Rix, J., Sheeky, K., Simmons, K. (Eds.) Curriculum and pedagogy in inclusive education: Values and Practice. London, Routledge.

Howarth, S.B., 1987. Effective integration: Physically handicapped in primary schools. Windsor: NFER-NELSON.

Mackie, D., 2004. http://www.thecourier.co.uk/out-put/2004/06/11/newsstory60102210.asp EIS Presidential Address.

Mafa, O., 2012. Challenges of implementing inclusion in Zimbabwe’s education system. Online J. Educ., 1(2), 14-22.

Mittler, P., 2000. Working towards inclusive education. London, David Fulton.

Mwangi, E.M., Orodho, J.A., 2014. Challenges facing implementation of inclusive education in public primary schools in Nyeri town, Nyeri county, Kenya. J. Educ. Pract., 5(16), 118-125.

Singh, Y.P., 2015. Problems and prospects of inclusive education in India. Proceedings of the 3rd Global Summit on Education in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 9-10 March.

Thwala, S., 2015. Challenges encountered by teachers in managing inclusive classrooms in Swaziland. Mediterr. J. Soc. Sci., 6(1), 495-500.

Published

2018-09-19

How to Cite

Sibanda, P. . (2018). A review of the implementation of inclusive education in Zimbabwe: challenges and opportunities. Scientific Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 7(9), 808-815. Retrieved from http://www.sjournals.com/index.php/sjpas/article/view/229

Issue

Section

Social Sciences

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 > >>