Learning challenges encountered by children with visual impairment in an inclusive setting in Kisanana division, Mogotio district-Kenya
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Date
2011-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Education, Open & Distance Learning
Abstract
The main focus of this study to find out challenges faced by children with visual impairment in
an inclusive setting. The researcher picked interest in finding out the mode of communication
used by teachers instructional materials teachers use to instruct visually impaired learners,
teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion of children with visual impairment in regular schools and
finding ways of improving the education of these children.
To get the information needed an interview guide was designed for children with visual
impairment and questionnaires prepared and distributed to headteachers and teachers in the
selected schools. Random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select schools and
the respondents.
The findings revealed that children with visual impairment in regular schools experienced some
challenges which among others included; lack of specially trained teachers in special needs
education to cater for their learning needs and interests, inadequacy of appropriate equipment
and learning materials, inappropriate teaching materials and methods, negative attitudes of
teachers towards the education of the handicapped children and high teacher—pupil ratio in class
among others.
From the study, the following recommendations were made that; Special Needs Education
should be co-opted into Primary Teachers’ Colleges as a course, government, NGOs and other
stakeholders should intensify community awareness programmes about the rights ofpersons with
disabilities, refresher courses should be provided to teachers to equip them with knowledge and
skills to assist learners with special learning needs and teachers be trained to make and use the
available local materials, primary school teachers should be encouraged to go for up grading
special needs education, parents of children with special needs should be encouraged to actively
get involved in the learning of their children among others.
Description
A research report submitted to the college of open and distance learning in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of bachelors degree in special needs education of Kampala International University
Keywords
Learning challenges, Visually impaired children, Inclusive settings, Mogotio district, Kenya