MENTAL RETARDNESS AND CHALLENGES OF LEARNERS IN SCHOOLS A CASE STUDY OF KORMOR PRIMARY SCHOOL, KENYA

ABSTRACT The intellectually challenged learners have been met with many difficulties and obstacles in life in the societies they live in. examples of these problems are discrimination, rejection, neglect, child maltreatment, use of derogatory language and negative attitude towards them. Some of their parents see them as a burden and a sign of bad omen to the family. They are regarded worthless and cannot be benefited from. In some societies they are misused of uncivilized traditional practices such as inheritance in case of death especially males. It is on this note that the purpose of the study is to curb and minimize problems faced by the intellectually challenged children. The researcher used qualitative research approach where data was collected, described in words rather than numerically, analyzed and interpreted. The research strategy or design was case study and the targeted population was regular school teachers, pupils, parents and education officers in the district. The instruments or apparatus used were questionnaires which were sent to respondents. The result of the research work shows that 66.7% of the general population of the intellectually challenged learners does not gain much educationally in inclusive setting. A part from other problems, negative attitude of the society is their major hindrance to their full development.