Browsing by Author "Esther, Kinyua"

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    Factors Affecting Academic Performance of Learners with Mental Deficit in Regular Schools Embu Municipality Kenya
    (Kampala International University, College/School of Education, 2008-08) Esther, Kinyua
    The study was carried out to investigate the factors affecting academic performance of learners with mental deficit in regular schools. The study had the following objectives. To find out whether there are teachers in regular schools with appropriate skills to handle learners with mental retardation. To find out the attitudes of teachers towards inclusion of learners with mental deficit in regular schools. The other objective was to find out the existence of learners with mental retardation in regular schools and to identify the factors that need to be considered before implementation of education programmes for learners with mental deficit in regular schools. The findings of the study revealed that untrained personnel, large number of pupils in a class, competition of the school and class mean scores, inadequate special facilities and resources, teachers’ negative attitudes towards learners with mental retardation, unmodified curriculum and lack of awareness in schools about learners with mental retardation and the importance of their retardation. Some of the recommendations made out of the findings of the study include: Government policies on special needs education should be emphasized by the education officers and provincial administration within Embu municipality. This will help to achieve declaration of Education for All (EFA). The government should equip the schools with special facilities and resources needed to handle learner with mental retardation, this will give a chance to the learners with mental retardation join regular schools, hence improve their academic performance. More teachers should be trained in special needs education. More teachers should be employed to assist in handling large classes and a lot of awareness be created x in the community on the importance of education for all regardless of individual differences