Abstract:

Social exclusion is a dynamic and multi-dimensional phenomenon that is topical in South Africa and all over the globe. However, there are many post-apartheid policies and programmes that are aimed at correcting historical injustices responsible for social exclusions, particularly in the education context. Nonetheless, inequalities are still dominant in our societies. Education institutions as microcosm of society are not spared from the injustices, and this study sought to debrief the perceptions of teacher trainers on issues that contribute to the different forms of exclusion at a South African institution of higher learning. This qualitative case study was guided by the Social Inclusion and Exclusion Model by Cunningam and Flemming. As the study focuses on the personal, societal and professional exclusion of teacher trainers at historically disadvantaged university, it was positioned on the interpretivist paradigm in debriefing the perceptions. Data was generated through narrative enquiry from university lecturers and students with the aim of affording them an opportunity to share their experiences. The findings of the study revealed that negative stereotypes resist change, and thus continue to discriminate those different from them. Furthermore, the study highlighted that social exclusion does not only affect persons living with disabilities, but perpetrated in institutions of learning through differences in socio-economic conditions, ethnic origin, cultural background, gender, sexuality and any other individual capabilities. It surfaced that COVID-19 also posed operational exclusions when institutions mandated a moratorium on traditional face-to-face teaching and learning. Working from home also disadvantaged those who do not have conducive office space to work. In conclusion, institutions of learning need to robustly address issues of exclusion, and not narrowing it down to only disability and socio-economic status. Therefore, people need to be educated about all forms of exclusions, including social, personal and professional exclusions.

Keywords:

Social Inclusion, Inclusion, exclusionl, Stereotypes, Teacher trainer, Perceptions.