Readiness Of Primary Schools In Mathioya District In Providing Inclusive Education

ABSTRACT

The objective of inclusive education calls for children with special needs to

attend the same classes in the"regular schools along side with the rest of the

pupils with no special needs. Inclusive education is primarily about

restructuring school cultures policies and practices so that they respond to the diversity of students in the locality. It sees individual difference•s not as

problems to be fixed, but as opportunity for enriching learning and for

education system to embrace change. The schools are required to adjust

themselves to accommodate every child regardless of his/her special needs.

The purpose of the study was to find out the readiness of the regular primary

schools in Mathioya district in providing inclusive education. Specifically, the

study investigated, the availability of materials and accessibility of school

facilities to cater for the needs of learners with disabilities, the attitude of

district education administrators, school administrators, and teachers in

including disabled learners in the regular classes, challenges facing teachers

in ensuring that learners with special needs have equal access and quality

education in the regular classroom, proposed suggestions on how the situation "

can be improved to provide inclusive education. Data for this study was

gathered from primary schools in Mathioya district. Descriptive survey design

was used to collect information. The targeted population was 61 schools, 61

head teachers, 612 teachers and 3 district education administrators. The

sample included 20 schools and their head teachers, 204 teachers and 8 district

administrators, selected using stratified random sampling and purposeful

sampling to include model schools and schools with special units. Data was

collected by use of questionnaires, Interview schedules and observational

guidelines. A pilot study was carried out in one primary school to determine

validity and reliability of the instruments used in the study. Descriptive

statistics was used to analyze the quantitative data while qualitative data was

analyzed by drawing inference from the coded information. Graphs, tables and

written text were used to present the analyzed data. The study established that

at present, regular teachers are not adequately prepared to teach learners with

special needs; the current curriculum does not efficiently cater for learners

with disabilities besides there being inadequate materials and the facilities

being inaccessible. There was a general agreement on the importance of

special units and schools for learners with disabilities. It was perceived that

the government could promote the efforts of providing inclusive education

through proper curriculum and teachers' trainings. The study also found that

though there were successful people with disabilities, they were not preferred

as role models despite the perceived need of the suitability of the same people

as role models. The study recommended that teachers, the community at large

be sensitized on the importance of inclusive education, the government to train

and employ enough personnel on special needs education and restructure the curriculum to suit every child.