FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, PSYCHOLOGY, GUIDANCE AND

COUNSELLING
ASSIGNMENT 1
NAME; KEMISO MYRNA BASHI STUDENT ID;
01242524011 MODULE NAME; CHILDREN WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS MODULE CODE; BIE 1102
QUESTION; DISCUSS THE ROLE OF THE SOCIETY IN THE INCLUSION AND
SUPPORT OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
ASPECT POSSIBLE ACTUAL MARK COMMENT
MARK
Introduction
Definition of key
term
Main body
Conclusion
References
TOTAL

LECTURER’S COMMENTS
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LECTURER’S NAME……………………………. SIGNATURE…………………
INTRODUCTION
The role of the society in the inclusion and support of children with special
needs is multifaceted and essential for fostering an environment where all
children can thrive regardless of their tribe , gender , (dis)abilities etc. It has
played roles in the change of societal attitudes and perceptions towards
children with special needs, created inclusive laws , policies and
Frameworks etc .Prior to my discussion, I will define the key term special
needs.
DEFINITION OF KEY TERM
According to Webster & Boddison (2019) special needs is a condition that
requires specific educational adjustments and support to ensure that
children and young people can participate fully in learning and life
activities .For example building ramps and elevators for the mobile impaired
to be able to acess high building. Special needs is defined as a broad
category encompassing various physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities
that necessitate tailored educational and developmental interventions ,
Hallberg & Klingberg (2023). For example providing visuals and picture for
visual learners for them to understand better. Essentially special needs
refers to the additional support given to students due to physical, emotional,
behavioural or learning difficulties, in order to make sure that they
understand whatever it is that they are taught .

MAIN BODY
Societal attitudes are defined as the overall evaluations of people, group ,
ideas and other objects reflecting whether individuals like or dislike them,
Haddock & Thorne (2020).For example disliking teenage pregnancy as it
seen as wrong in the society to engage in sexual intercourse at a young
age . According to the National Centre of Social Research (2021), Societal
attitudes are refered to as collective opinions , values and beliefs held by the
public on various social issues. These opinions , values may have an
impact on the view of children with special needs in mainstream schools ,
which may be good or bad impacts. Mainstream schools are schools that aim
to include all students in regular classrooms , providing necessary support
and accommodation to ensure that students with special needs can
participate fully in the educational experience, Plows & Whitburn (2020). The
good impact is that they promotes the spirit of teamwork, this is because
working with diverse individuals helps to develop empathy and
understanding for other's experience and challenges. Which leads to
stronger interpersonal relationships and a more supportive team
environment , Open Society Foundation (2019).For example during a
classroom group discussion, students tend to work together despite their
differences, supporting each other's weaknesses and strengthen and hence
fostering friendships. However some S societal attitudes results in bad
impacts such as discrimination. Discrimination is defined as the unequal
treatment of similar individuals placed in the same situation but who differ
by one or several characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, disability,
sexual orientation , Fibbi , Midtbøen & Simon ( 2021) . So due to some
societal attitudes students with special needs are treated badly as they are
seen as bad luck or abnormal. This results in students with special needs
isolating themselves and being depressed.
On the other hand there are laws , policies and frameworks that have been
put in place to support children with special needs in Botswana. Firstly we
have the Revised National Policy on Education ( 1994) .This policy has led to
the efforts made to raise awareness and provide training for educators in
inclusive practices. For example the government of Botswana sponsors us to
get training under the program of Special and Inclusive Education to gain
skills and knowledge to cater for the students with special needs. . This is
done so that teachers will effective strategies for supporting students with
special needs and disabilities, Education Endowment Foundation (2022).
However despite the policy's efforts, there are still gaps in its
implementation especially in rural areas where resources are more limited.
Moreover laws such as the Children's Act (2009), were established in order
for the protection of rights of children, including those with disabilities .This
is done by reporting and responding to cases of children needing immediate
protection. However the implementation of these laws is inconsistent and
there is a need for stronger punishments in order to unsure their compliance.
Meanwhile there is are roles of families, schools and communities in
supporting students with special needs and how they have positively
impacted the children's lives. In families , the members provide emotional
support by offering love , encouragement and understanding. Which results
in the child with special needs having high self esteem and resilience hence
enhancing the child's well being , Neely-Barners & Dia (2020). While in
school due to promotion of inclusive education, we're all children learn
together in the same class but with different features, led to acceptance and
social interaction. This is because the presence of children with special
needs in mainstream schools encourages their peers to engage with them,
fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance within the school, Al-Azawei
(2021).lastly the community provides inclusion. For example it provides a
year round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults
with intellectual disabilities. This helps them to develop physical skills, self
esteem and social connections .This is done through programs like The
Special Olympic Botswana.
Despite this roles , their are still challenges and barriers faced by children
with special needs and their families in the society . The first challenge is
limited resources. This is because teachers with skills on how to
accommodate children with disabilities are limited, assistive technologies
like braille are limited therefore, this creates a significant barrier to the
provision of a supportive learning environment for all students, Hassan
(2024) . Which may result in these children not getting good quality
education. However the government should get more teachers trained in
order to meet the number of students with special needs and also distribute
resources or assistive technologies equally even in rural area. The other
challenge is discrimination. Discrimination manifests through negative
beliefs, Societal stereotypes, stigma and ignorance, Jonas (2021). Which
results in these children either isolating themselves or their families being
ashamed of then resulting in some committing suicide. However educating
people about disabilities through campaigns can help them to be equip with
knowledge and skills and later development understanding for those with
disabilities hence reducing discrimination.
Lastly according to me, it is important for the society to support children with
special needs. This is because it helps reduce stigma and discrimination as
people in the society have learnt to support these children with disabilities .
This promotes peace , inclusion and understanding of diversity. It also helps
families feel more welcomed and supported as their child is also welcomed ,
loved and respected as humans. In oder to contribute for a more inclusive
environment, I will become a child advocate more especially for these
children with special needs, to fight and protect their rights. Moreover I will
empower them by starting an NGO called imperfectly perfect. This
organisation will have models that are disabilities, that do public speaking
and their situation and how they overcame it ect.
CONCLUSION
The inclusion and support of children with special needs depend heavily on
the collective efforts of society. By fostering awareness, advocating for
policies, creating inclusive environments, and providing essential services,
society can significantly enhance the lives of these children, enabling them
to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

REFERENCES
Azawel, M. A. (2021). “ How Inclusive Interactive Learning Environment Benefits
Students with Special Needs ".
Boddison, R. W. (2019). Including children and young people with special
educational needs and disabilities in Learning and Life, .
Dia, S. L.-B. (2020). Families of children with disabilities: A review of literature and
recommendations for interventions " .

Discrimination, M. a. (2021). Migration and Discrimination .

Foundation, E. E. (2022). " Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools ".
Foundation, O. S. (2019). "Education for All : Advancing Disability Inclusion in
Education “.
Klingberg, U. H. (2023). Children with special needs.
Thorne, G. H. (2020). Attitudes and Behaviour,.
Whitburn, I. E. (2020). Inclusive Education: Making Sense of Everyday Practice .