Abstract of M.E. Mophosho lecture

TRAINING OF TEACHERS ON USING AAC DEVICES FOR

LEARNERS WITH COMPLEX COMMUNICATION NEEDS: SOUTH

AFRICA

M.E. Mophosho

University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

Introduction and background. As part of the post 1994 education

transformation the South African Department of Education adopted an

inclusive education policy known as Education White Paper 6 in 2001.

Various programmes have been implemented to support the

implementation of this policy. However, despite these programmes

children with complex communication needs remain excluded from

learning. The Department of Education has appointed a private

company (Inclusive Solutions) to supply and train their schools and

Special Schools on how to support learners with complex

communication needs. Participants. Staff members from special

schools and resource schools in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces

were trained. Method. Participants were exposed to face to face

training and onsite training. Training input was guided by training

outcomes from selected national unit standard. Participants’

perception of the training was evaluated using a qualitative

questionnaire, observations, pre and post training. The data was

analyzed thematically. Results. The presentation will argue that

despite the success of the training, the training raised important

training and access issues that need to be addressed if the rights of

children with complex communication needs to access quality

education have to be met.