1. The education of Deaf leaners in South Africa
Introduction
This essay seeks to discuss the theory on how inclusive education applies to schools
for Deaf people in South Africa. The essay will furthermore discuss the importance Deaf
learners acquiring a singed language as their first language. The essay will again
discuss the theory of being taught through sing language as the medium of
communication. The essay will at last discuss the LOLT which was observed at the two
schools for the Deaf leaners, and the interaction between the teachers and the learners.
Inclusive education applies to schools for Deaf leaners in South Africa
The education for the Deaf leaners is pretty much different from the one of the speaking
children(Aarons and Reynolds, 2003). In some other cases, there is
discriminationamongst the white Deaf leaners and other races. The black Deaf leaners
may somehow excluded because “…African Deaf children had little access to hearing
aids and speech therapists” (Aarons and Reynolds, 2003). Poor infrastructure at
schools and lack of communication skills may make leaners to feel excluded (Aarons
and Reynolds, 2003).
The schools need fully qualified interpreters to make classes and everything accessible
and easy for leaners (Smuts-Pauw, 1996). The schools need to make sure that the
teachers receive enough training (Smuts-Pauw, 2003).The schools must meet the
minimum leaners’ needs in order to offer integrated education (Smuts-Pauw, 1996). The
boundariesbetween special and ordinary amongst the learners must be killed, in order
for the schools to proceed in education (Smuts-Pauw, 1996). Discrimination must also

2. be considered, including the support services and learners needs (Aarons and
Reynolds, 1996). The white Deaf learners were forced to use oralism not sing language,
whereas black leaners were allowed to use sign language, of which, it was somehow an
exclusion of others (Aarons and Reynolds, 2003).
Acquiring sign language as the first language
It is of paramount importance for Deaf leaners to acquire education in sign language as
their first language (Morgan, 2008). The sign language is very easy, like any other
language, if exposed to it at a young age (?????). The Deaf learners rights need to be
respected and taken into account when teaching them, nevertheless, the leaners will
feel free to learn and ask questions (Smuts-Pauw, Deaf education consultant and
DeafSA, 1996). According to Smuts-Pauw et al (1996), the Deaf people’s families and
communities also need to be considered in teaching them the sign language. The
schools need the singing environment in order to ensure that learners are acquiring the
adequate education like every South African child (Smuts-Pauw et al, 1996).
The leaners must not feel oppressed when they are school, because it may delay them
to learn their first language (Smuts-Pauw et al, 1996). Enough interpreters are also
needed to help the leaners in academics so that they won’t fall behind (Smuts-Pauw,
1996).
Sign language as the medium of communication
The sign language as the medium of communication amongst Deaf leaners must be
taken into account because it’s also a language like any other spoken language. Sing
language must not be seen as a culture or a believe, but as a language different from

3. spoken one, but performing the same work like the spoken language (Smuts-Pauw,
DeafSA, Deaf education consultant, 1996).
ST Vincent’s School
The ST Vincent’s school it’s a combined school for Deaf people. It caters both primary
and secondary phases. The teachers and leaners use South African sign Language as
the medium of communication, even thou some of the leaners can speak and hear. The
communication between the teachers and the leaners is with sign language. The
leaners communicate to each other through sign language during lessons and
duringbreak time. The language of learning and teaching at ST Vincent’s is through sign
language. The lessons are given in a signed language.
An estimated ten percent of the leaners are wearing the hearing aids to help them cope
in the class. The availability of speech therapistsat the school is a big advantage for
everyone. The teachers at ST Vincent’s are getting helped by the assistant teachers in
order to push a lot in a short time. Some teachers use both sign language and speech
simultaneously when teaching. The most interesting part about the leaners at ST
Vincent’s are using South African Sign Language to communicate with no made-up
signs.
MC Kharbai School
MC Kharbai is also a combined school for the Deaf people. The medium of
communication at the school is sign language. The language of learning and teaching is
also sign language. Learners chat to each other and to the teachers through South
African Sign Language. Most leaners in the primary phase are wearing the hearing aids

4. than in secondary level. Some of the subject the school is interested in is oralism, were
leaners memorize the words by reading the speaker’s mouth. Even thou the school lack
the singing environment, but the lessons are just flowing smoothly without any
disturbance.
The communication between both leaners and the teachers is very interesting and
enjoyable. The school also has speech therapists that assist and help the speech
retarded leaners with both language and sign language.
Conclusion
The Deaf people in South Africa must be treated equally like everyone else and
respected like speaking people. Their education must be the same as every leaner in
the country. Their language must not be undermined and must not be taken as a culture
or a belief. They must not be seen as the disadvantaged people, but as disabled. They
must feel the love of everyone and feel at home.