Education White Paper 6 promotes the mobilisation of parent participation in inclusive schools so that they can become part of the support process. Moreover, parents are regarded as an important form of support expected to participate more effectively in the implementation of inclusion activities. However, some parents exercise helicopter parenting through displaying over-controlling behaviours thus interfering with support provided to their children. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of helicopter parenting practices on provision of support services in rural inclusive schools. Few studies are conducted on the influence of helicopter parenting in education support services. This interpretivist qualitative study employed purposive sampling to select a sample of 10 members of the school-based support team and 2 District-Based Support team from Gauteng and Free State owing to their role of being main support teams. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and thematically analysed. Self-determination theory founded by Deci and Ryan (1985) underpinned this study. The findings revealed that learners with barriers to learning struggle to thrive when they are deprived practicing sense of autonomy. Also, helicopter parenting hinders child's development by suppressing their ability to learn from mistakes. It was further discovered that overprotection and constant intervention lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and difficulties in coping with emotions. The study reveals a conceptual and practice gap in delineating the boundaries of parental involvement in support services thus threatening professional autonomy.

Authors:
Thabo Makhalemele, North-West, South Africa
Rachel Rirhandzu Mayimele, North West University, South Africa
Pateka Pamella Jama, North West University, South Africa

About the Presenter(s)
Thabo Makhalemele is an associate professor in Learner Support and director of the school of Psycho-Social Education, Faculty of Education, North-West University, Vaal Campus, South Africa. His study field are educational psychology and inclusive.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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