The Attitudes of Teachers in Regular Primary Schools Towards the Education for the Physically Handicapped: A Case Study of Kyangwithya Division of Kitui District Kenya

ABSTRACT The major purpose of the study was to investigate the attitudes of teachers towards the education of the physically handicapped children in Kyangwithya division. A quantitative research approach, using questionnaires was employed to collect the data for the study. Twenty primary school teachers and five schools were sampled for the study. Findings of the study show that the teachers, parents and children have several misconceptions and wrong beliefs about the nature and conditions of physical disabilities and about children with such problems. The implication of the study is that teachers should focus on raising their own awareness about physical disabilities through training in special needs education and other programmes.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

DECLARATION .......................................................................................................... i 

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................. ii 

DEDICATION ........................................................................................................... iii 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................ iv 

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................. viii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS······················································· ·················· ················ V 

CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................ 1 

INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... I 

1.1 Background of the Study ....................................................................... 1 

1.2. Statement of the Problem ................................................................... 3 

1.3. Purpose of the Study .............................................................................. 3 

1.4. Objectives of the Study .......................................................................... 3 

1.5. Research Questions ................................................................................ 4 

1.6. Significance of the Study ...................................................................... 4 

1. 7. Definition of Terms ................................................................................. 5 

1.8. Limitations ................................................................................................. 5 

1.9. Delimitations ............................................................................................. 5 

1.10. Scope and time Frame .......................................................................... 6 

1.11. Null Hypothesis .................................................................................. 6 

CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................ 7 

LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 7 

2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 7 

2. 2. Theory ................................................................................................... 8 

2 . 3 . Definition of physical handicaps .................................................. 8 

2.4. Causes of Physical Disabilities ........................................................... 9 

2.5. Classification of Physical Disabilities ............................................ 13 

2.6. Causes of Orthopaedic Disabilities .................................................. 14 

2.7. Causes of Neurological Disabilities Cerebral palsy .................... 16 

2.8. Causes of Chronic Health Disabilities ............................................... 20 

2.9. Attitudes ...................................................................................................... 20 

2.10. Problems Encountered by the Physically Handicapped ......... 22 

V 

CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................. 28 

METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................... 28 

3.0. Introduction ........................................................................................... 28 

3.1. Research Approach ............................................................................... 28 

3.2. Research Design/Strategy .................................................................. 28 

3.3. Population ................................................................................................ 29 

3.4. Sample Population ................................................................................ 29 

3.4.1. Sampling Procedure ............................................................................ 29 

3.5. Instruments/Tools ................................................................................ 30 

CHAPTER FOUR .................................................................................................... 31 

PRESENTATION OF DATA ................................................................................. 31 

4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 3 I 

4.2. PRESENTATION AND DATA ANALYSIS ....................................... 31 

CHAPTER FIVE ...................................................................................................... 40 

SUMMARY DISCUSSION CONCLUSIONRECOMMENDATION .............. 40 

5.0. introduction ........................................................................................... 40 

5.1 Summary ...................................................................................................... 40 

5.2 DISCUSSION .............................................................................................. 41 

5.3 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 43 

5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................. 44 

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 46 

APPENDICES .......................................................................................................... 48 

APPENDIX A: TRANSMITTAL LETTER ....................................................... 48 

APPENDIX B ....................................................................................................... 49 

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TEACHERS TO FIND OUT THE ATTITUDES 

OF TEACHERS TOWARDS THE EDUCATION OF THE PHYSICALLY 

HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ........................................................................... 49