Challenges Affecting The Academic Achievements Of Learners With Special Needs: A Case Study Of Galbet Zone, Garissa District, North Eastern Province, Kenya.

ABSTRACT

The study attempted to carry out a critical analysis on the challenges that affect the education achievements of learners with special needs while trying to get themselves acclimatized with the regular school programmes where they are mixed with their counterparts who do not have any disability at all. The study took Galbet zone, Garissa District as a case study. Previous studies indicate that a number of challenges do affect and make it hard for these learners to stay at school so as to satisfy their need to attain basic education. The researcher applied a purely quantitative research design in presenting and interpreting the research findings. The technique of data collection used was mainly the use of questionnaires forms that were addressed to the teachers in Jaribu primary school where the research was conducted. Selection of the samples was based on a simple Random sampling procedure so as to give all the respondents equal chances of participating in the study. Research findings revealed that the challenges that these learners face in regular schools come from the relationship that exist between them and their teachers, peers, and the general community as a whole and not forgetting the inadequate supply of learning aids from the ministry of education. The researcher has tried to come up with a number of measures to help improve the learning needs as well as environments that learners with special needs do go through. These include among others: the need for the government to dedicate efforts towards providing enough educational resources, the need to train more teachers in handling learners with special needs, the need for the community to dedicate efforts towards supporting learners with special needs among other recommendations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION…………………………………….

APPROVAL………………………………….

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT…………………………. iv

LIST OF ACRNOYMS………………………….. v

ABSTRACT………………………………………

TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………. vii

LIST OF TABLES…………………………. ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . ~. . ............................................................. 1

1.1 Background to the study…………………………… 1

1.2 Statement of the problem …………………………….3

1.3 Theory………………………………………….. 4

1.4 Research Objectives………………………… 7

1.5 Specific Objectives………………………… 7

1.6 Research Questions……………………….. 8

1.7 Significance of the Study …………………………8

1.8 Scope of the study……………………………. 10

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ……………..11

2.1. Review of existing Literature…………………………. 11

2.2. Categories of learners with physical handicaps………11

2.3. Challenges faced by learners with physical handicaps…. 13

2.4 Alternative measures………………………………….. 17

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....... 20

3.0. Introduction............................................. 20

3.1. Research design................................................. 20

3.2. Area and population of the study ............................20

3.3 Sample Selection............................................ 21

3.4. Data Collection Instruments ..............................21

3.5. Questionnaire Forms............................................ 21

3.6. Observation Method............................................... 21

3.7. Secondary Data.................................................... 22

3.7. Data Analysis .......................................................22

3.8. Encountered Limitations to the Study .....................22

vii

CHAPTER~.,.,,““,...“ ,“.,

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.. ......~24

4.0 Introduction................................... 24

4.1 Profile of the Respondents............................. 24

4.1.1 Age of the Respondents...................................... 25

4.1.2 Gender of the Respondents................................. 25

4.1.3 Marital Status of the Respondents....................... 26

4.1.4 Educational Level of the Respondents............. 26

4.1.5 Working experience of the respondents.......... 26

4.2 Suitability of the current curriculum............... 27

4.3 Attitude of the various players .....................28

4.4 Will of the school administration to offer support ........29

4.5 Role of the community................................... 30

4.6 Availability of educational resources............................ 31

CHAPTER FIVE: ...

DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..

5.0 Introduction........................................... 32

5.1 SUrIIITI&y............................................................................... 32

5.2 Conclusion........................................................ 34

5.3 Recommendations ..................................................34

5.4 Areas for further Research ................................36

REFERENCES .........................................................................................................

APPENDICES . . •...~........................................................................ 39

Appendix i: Questionnaire forms..................................... 39

Appendix iii: Introductory Letter from the university.......... 42