Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
In every classroom there are probably pupils with learning problems. If these
children can be identified before they fail and appropriate assistance can be
provided at that stage, learning failure can be prevented or curbed.
This study was undertaken against the background of growing dissatisfaction with
the current systems of remedial provision to a relatively limited number of
pupils after learning problems have manifested and the prognostic outcome seems
accordingly bleak,
A study of the literature was undertaken to gain a perspective on the nature
and extent of the current practices of identification, evaluation and remedial
assistance as well as the sensibility of the implementation of a more preventive
child guidance practice.
Although prevention is the obvious answer in the fight against learning problems,
a study of the relevant literature revealed that the accent within the field
still lies on remediation after the manifestation of learning problems and scholastic
underachievement - and not prevention.
Intensive and time-consuming evaluation, diagnosis and subsequent categorization
(according to certain definitions of so-called "remedial pupils"), deprive many
pupils with learning problems of assistance. This is still to a great extent the
reigning policy of the education departments in Southern Africa. Less than 5%
of all pupils receive remedial help outside the regular classroom in addition to
the work done in class.
In the literature important changes are predicted in the remedial approach to
learning problems. A pragmatic swing can be expected as more and more .
experts in Southern Africa and abroad voice the opinion that it seems sensible
to determine in general what a pupil can and cannot do, and then to try and
stimulate what he cannot do by means of a specifically devised program.
After a study of the literature to determine the sensibility of a more preventive
approach to learning problems on a wider basis, a short test battery and a
support program were compiled.