Mentoring by special needs educators as a possible solution for the problems experienced by mainstream educators in inclusive education
Abstract
This research study presents an investigation into mentoring by special needs
educators as a possible solution for the problems experienced by mainstream
educators in inclusive education.
The methodology employed in this investigation include a literature study on the
possible problems experienced by educators in the context of inclusive education
and the support special needs educators might offer in this regard. It also embraces
mentoring as a possible solution for problems experienced by mainstream educators
in inclusive education. A qualitative opinion survey among mainstream educators,
special needs educators and education officials was undertaken by means of
qualitative open-ended interviews among 16 respondents in the Mangaung township
area.
The results of the survey were finally interpreted in terms of three research questions
pertaining to the problem being investigated. The major conclusions the researcher
has made was that there are many problems related to the implementation of
inclusive education and that a mentoring system in which special needs educators
serve as mentors for mainstream educators is a viable option for solving or easing
these problems. Finally, a number of recommendations were formulated for a
variety of stakeholders in inclusive education.