Impact of special needs education on mentally handicapped learners in five special units nyandarua north district Kenya.

Abstract

Special Needs Education has been an important instrument of addressing special difficulties found in learners with special needs. Mentally handicapped learners in particular have benefited a lot with this educational programme. This research has been initiated to investigate the impact special needs education has made in this area of disability. The researcher used survey method and employed questionnaire as a technique to ask relevant questions. The answers provided were in quantitative form. Investigation was mainly centered on finding the difficulties of mentally handicapped learners understanding the approaches used by teachers to address difficulties identified, and assessing the learning outcomes on this educational programme. Teachers of the :five special units were the main respondents and were able to provide the much needed information. There were a total of 8 teachers in the five schools. The findings indicated a substantial impact has been made by special by special needs education on mentally handicapped learners. Various parameters used showed success indices ranging from 40 - 80% success. In conclusion the researcher hails the good 'Work done by the unit teachers and the teacher aides in supporting mentally handicapped learners. However the researcher recommends that more teachers be sent to the units to correct the teacher pupil ratio imbalance. Also there is need to put more effort on occupational training and a follow up programmes be set up to ensure those learners who drop out or get integrated into society are well placed.