Approaches and Learning Abilities of Inclusive and Mainstreamed Children with Special Needs in Igembe North District-Kenya

ABSTRACT 

The researcher sought to investigate the approaches and learning abilities of inclusive and mainstreamed children with special needs in Igembe North District, Kenya. The researcher got interested in carrying out the study because the transition rate for the special need learners was very low. From the literature review, no studies had been carried on approaches and learning abilities of inclusive and mainstreamed children with special needs in the district. The study was guided by four (4) objectives and four (4) research questions. The researcher investigated the approaches used in teaching special needs children, determined their learning abilities and tested the hypothesis of no significant relationship between teaching approaches and learning abilities of the learners. Learning abilities of the learners. Descriptive survey design which adopted the descriptive correlation strategy was used to this study to test the hypothesis. The researcher targeted 20 primary schools in Igembe North District, Kenya. A total of 100 teachers were involved in the study, data was collected through questionnaire. A pilot study was carried out in 10 schools outside the district to establish the reliability. The questionnaires were subjected to three experts to test the validity of the instruments. Analysis was done using frequency table for the objectives on approaches. The researcher used means to determine the level approached to teaching and learning abilities of learners. Learning activities of inclusive and mainstreamed with special needs. The hypothesis was tested using Pearson linear correlation coefficient. The researcher found out that the various teaching approaches used by teachers in inclusive schools and mainstreamed learners with special need was wanting. It was found that teachers trained in special needs were very few. The researcher recommended that the government trains more teachers in special needs and constantly in-services others on the new approaches.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminaries

Declaration A

Declaration B ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Abstract v

List of Tables vi

Acronyms and Abbreviations vii

Chapters

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1.

Background of the Study i

Statement of the problem 6

Purpose of the Study 7

Research Objectives 8

Research Questions 8

Hypothesis 9

Scope 9

Significance of the Study io

Operational definitions of Key Terms 10

Two REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE 13

Concepts, Opinions, Ideas, from Authors/ Expert 13

Theoretical perspective 22

Related studies 26

Three METHODOLOGY 28

Research Design 28

Research Population 28

Sample Size 28

Sampling Procedure 29

Research Instrument 29

Validity and the Reliability of the Instruments 29

Data Gathering Procedure 30

Data Analysis 31

Ethical considerations 32

Limitations of the Study 32

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 33

Five FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 41

Findings 41

Conclusions 43

Recommendations 43

References 45

Appendices 48

Appendix I A: Transmittal Letter 48

Appendix I B: Transmittal Letter for the Respondents 49

Appendix II: Clearance from Ethics Committee 50

Appendix III: Informed Consent 51

Appendix IV: Questionnaire 52

AppendixV: Validity 55

Appendix VI: Mean range 56

Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 57