Experiences of South African Learners With Severe Intellectual Disabilities From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds on Their Educational Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic brought various challenges for learners around the world. This paper reports on the perceptions of learners with Severe Intellectual Disabilities coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds in the South African context on the educational challenges that they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using the qualitative research methodology, data were collected from six learners (three females and three males) using semi-structured individual interviews. Results: Thematic data analysis yielded four themes, namely, loss of learning time, lack of interaction with others, lack of access to resources and lack of parental support. Conclusion: Despite the pandemic affecting every learner negatively, in this study, among those with Severe Intellectual Disabilities who came from low socioeconomic backgrounds, the challenges faced by children with severe intellectual disabilities were unique and likely worsened by having Severe Intellectual Disabilities.