Political, Economic Factors and the Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy in Private Institutions in Lilongwe, Malawi

ABSTRACT 

This study investigated the political, economic factors and the implementation of inclusive education policy in private institutions in Lilongwe, Malawi. The study was guided by the following objectives: (i) to assess the political and economic factors that affect implementation inclusive education policy in private universities in Malawi; (ii) to assess the level to which private universities are committed to implement inclusive education policy in Malawi; (iii) to determine the relationship between political and economic factors and the implementation of inclusive education policy in private universities in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted in this study; the target population was 318 full time lecturers of four private Universities in Lilongwe, Malawi. Therefore, the sample size of this study was 177 respondents. The study found that political factors for implementing inclusive education policy in private universities is fairly satisfactory (average mean=3.20, Std=1.199). Furthermore, the study found that economic factors for implementing inclusive education policies in private universities in Malawi is unsatisfactory (average mean=2. 82, Std= 1.186). On the other hand, it was found that private universities in Malawi are to implement inclusive education policy to a satisfactory level (average mean=3.37, Std=1.091). Similarly, the study found a significant and strong relationship between political factors and the implementation of inclusive education policy in Private Universities in Malawi 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ii

APPROVAL iii

DEDICATION iv

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi

LISTS OF TABLES x

ABSTRACT xi

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background ofthe study 1

1.1.1 Historical Background 1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective 3

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective 3

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective 7

1.2 Problem Statement 8

1.3 Purpose ofthe Study 9

1.4 Specific Objectives 9

1.5 Research Questions 9

1.6 Hypothesis 10

1.7 Scope ofthe Study 10

1.7.1 Geographical Scope 10

1.7.2 Theoretical Scope 10

1.7.3 Content Scope 10

1.8 Significance ofthe Study 10

1.8.lThe Government 10

1.8.2 The Institutions 10

1.8.3 Future Researchers 10

CHAPTER TWO 12

LITERATURE REVIEW 12

2.0 Introduction 12

2.1 Theoretical Review 12

2.2 Conceptual Review 15

2.3 Political Factors 15

2.3.1 Political will and Commitment 15

2.3.2 Creating Clear awareness towards inclusion 16

2.3.3 Collaboration with stakeholders 17

2.4 Economic Factors .17

2.4.1 Funding 18

2.4.2Resources allocation 18

2.5 Implementation OfInclusive Education Policy 19

2.5.2 Integration OfInclusion In Schools Policies 19

2.5.3 Trained Staff And Technical Support Provision 19

2.5.4 Relevant Accessible Infrastructure 20

2.5.5 Availability Of Learning And Teaching Resources 20

2.5.6 Attitudes 21

2.7 Empirical Review 20

2.8 Research Gaps 27

CHAPTER THREE 28

METHODOLOGY 28

3.0 Introduction 28

3.1 Research Design 28

3.2 Target Population 28

3.3 Sample Size 28

3.4 Sampling Techniques 29

3.5 Data Collection Instrument 29

3.5.1 Questionnaires 29

3.6 Validity and Reliability 30

3.6.1 Validity 30

3,6.2 Reliability 30

3.7 Data Collection Procedures 31

3.8 Data Analysis 31

3.9 Ethical Considerations 32

3.10 Limitation ofthe Study 32

CHAPTER FOUR 33

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 33

4.0 Introduction 33

4.1 Response Rate 33

4.3 The Political Factors That Affect Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy in Malawi Universities 35

4.4 The Economic Factors That Affect the Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy in Malawi Universities 38

4.5 The Extent to Which Universities in Malawi Implemented Inclusive Education Policy in Malawi Universities 39

4.6 The Relationship Between Political Factors and The Implementation ofInclusive Education Policy in Private Universities in Malawi 41

4.7 The Relationship Between Economic Factors and The Implementation ofInclusive Education Policy in Universities in Malawi 41

CHAPTER FIVE 43

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 43

5.0 Introduction 43

5.1 Discussion of Findings 43

5.1.1 The Extent to which Political Factors Affect the Implementation ofInclusive Education Policy in Private Universities in Malawi 43

5.1.2 The Extent to Which Economic Factors Affect the Implementation ofInclusive Education Policy in Private Universities in Malawi 44

5.1.3 The Extent to Which Universities in Malawi Implemented Inclusive Education Policy in Malawi Universities 45

5.1.4 The Relationship Between Political Factors and The Implementation ofInclusive Education Policy in Private Universities in Malawi 46

5.1.5 The Relationship Between Economic Factors and The Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy in Universities in Malawi 

5.3 Recommendations 48

5.3.1 The Political Factors That Affect Implementation ofInclusive Education Policy in Private Universities in Malawi 

5.3.2 The Economic Factors That Affect the Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy in Malawi Universities 

5.3.3 The Extent to Which Universities in Malawi Implemented Inclusive Education Policy in Malawi Universities

Reference 49