Challenges Fa.Ced By Mentally Retarded Learners Ii\I Selected Inclusive Seetings In Soy Division Of Nandi East District, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Learners who are mentally retarded like any other handicapped learners are

faced by so many challenges. These challenges affect their performance in self

help skills and other cognitive abilities. The researcher wanted to carryout a

research to find out the challenges facing these particular learners in special

schools and units in Soy Division of Nandi East District. The researcher prepared

and used questionnaires for teachers and interview guides for the parents to

collect data. He applied survey method in collecting the data and used

quantitative approach in his study. Although there are above seven programmes

in the district offering special needs education, the mentally retarded children

takes the largest share. The researcher collected the data from one school for

the mentally handicapped and three special units for the mentally challenged

learners. The data was collected from parents and teachers who are the key

mentors of these learners. After presenting and analyzing the data the

researcher found that the mentally retarded learners are faced by so many

challenges ranging from negative attitude from both parents and teachers, lack

of adequate funds and learning materials to unpredictable food supply. In order

to aileviate these challenges, the following conclusions were made. There should

be awareness meetings to alleviate negative attitude among teachers and parents. Provision of enough founds to run institutions smoothly. Training of enough qualified personnel to handle the mentaliy challenged learners.