Abstract
M. Ed. (Educational and Learning Support)
Society has never before experienced a human tragedy of the magnitude
caused by the orphan crisis. Life for the estimated 4 million orphans in sub-Saharan
Africa is often desperate where children attempt to care for themselves and each other without adequate adult· support. Orphaned children are not only traumatized by the loss of their parents, they then also lack adult guidance during crucial developmental stages of their lives, and educational concerns are usually neglected. The social costs that emerge are juvenile crime, reduced educational levels, unskilled workers and a general
burden on the state. With the introduction of the School Based Support Teams (SBST) in an attempt to further the implementation of inclusive education, schools have become aware of the need to support all learners in their community, including orphans. This study investigated the nature of the role played by the SBST of a primary school in their endeavours to support orphaned learners. During their work with the orphans, the SBST encountered many challenges that emerged as diverse needs of the children were revealed.Initially, the focus was on meeting lower order needs such as food, clothing,
shelter and school equipment. In meeting these needsthe SBST embraced a position of collaboration with local businesses and child welfare organisations in providing the necessary resources. Help was also given in the planting of a vegetable garden, with an irrigation system which was tilled by volunteers from the parent community. School uniforms were provided by the Department of Social Development and the Rotary club.
With time however, the SBST, started taking an additional responsibility, such as obtaining identity documents, applying for child grants and arranging for social worker involvement in the management of foster parents and custody. Caregivers and foster parents were approached and aided in their applications for exemption from paying school fees and close collaboration with custody courts was maintained. Working more deeply with the orphans, higher order needs emerged regarding grieVing for lost parents, the need to re-establish social groups and family ties, and the need for spiritual guidance
and a sense of hope for the future. Responding to this additional challenge the SBST established a link with the local church to provide counselling support for the orphans. The schools guidance department conducted a workshop for the teachers on basic counselling and bereavement counselling which serve to empower the staff to deal with the orphans' emotional trauma on a daily basis. Since the orphaned learners were now being physically and emotionally supported, learning problems emerged due to their previous interruptions in schooling. The SBST called on the expertise of remedially trained teachers to provide extra classes and supervise homework for these learners in an
attempt to address their scholastic backlog. Selected orphans were loaned solar powered reading lamps for use at home where there is no electricity. Orphaned learners were also encouraged to participate in the school's sporting and extra-mural programme and the necessary sport gear and arrangements were facilitated by the SBST. As the nature of the SBST's involvement deepened, a sub-committee was established, the welfare portfolio, whose sole responsibility was the well-being of the school's orphans. In managing the growing orphan population in the school, they compiled a database of the orphans in the school detailing their specific problems, needs, home circumstances and the actions required by the school in supporting each child's individual needs. A workshop was conducted for the foster parents and caregivers on budgeting and using the child care grants wisely for the orphans. Since it was revealed that some caregivers were abusing the funds on alcohol and neglecting the orphans in their care. The welfare committee also negotiated half price transport fees with the local taxi service in the transportation of orphaned learners to and from school. Apartnership was established with the local police station to gain their support. Should any orphaned learners report physical abuse, they would be respectfully treated. The systemic and collaborative nature of the role of the SBST in this primary school is highlighted in this case study. Without the visionary focus and strategic planning of the SBST in supporting the orphaned learners, they would probably have dropped out of school. Thus the transformation of the SBST into a broad-based structure which networks with a myriad of sources is crucial in fostering inclusive educational practices in South African schools.