The academic and social challenges affecting learners with epilepsy in inclusive setting in Nthongoni zone, Kibwezi district Kenya
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Date
2011-08
Authors
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Education Open and Distance Learning
Abstract
The central problem of the study was born out of the fact that despite epilepsy being a disease like others and that an epileptic child may have normal intelligence, many teachers and society know little or nothing about it and therefore have negative attitude towards these children Factors leading to negative perception and discrimination of epileptic children have not been fully investigated and understood. The purpose of this study was therefore out the teachers' understanding of epilepsy in inclusive schools. The study was done in selected primary schools in the area and covered a sample of 25 teachers, both ale and female from five schools. The researcher sampled schools using convenient sampling technique. Data was collected by means of questionnaires and was analyzed using descriptive statistics in form of tables. From the findings of the study it revealed that most schools do not have any specially trained teachers to handle children with special educational needs, some teachers still have negative attitude towards epileptic children, no remedial classes to help these children cover the tie lost during attacks and sometimes hospitalization and limited funds allocated to special needs departments in regular schools which are moreover diverted to other uses among other challenges. Based on the above findings it was recommended that: Emphasis should be put on the persons abilities rather than focusing on the negative impact of their seizures. Medical care needs to go hand in hand with the support from all stakeholders, Special needs teachers should put in practice what they learnt and sensitize their regular colleagues on the need to help children with special needs, Train more teachers in special needs education to help them acquire more skills to handle all children irrespective of varying abilities, Organize more seminars/workshops to sensitize. head teachers, teachers, ordinary learners in schools/class and the entire community, the government should increase budgetary allocations to special needs education department to motivate teachers and other persons working with/for persons with special needs, special needs teachers should be given in-service courses regularly to refresh their minds. This would give X abilities to love, guide and support all learners in their classes and the Ministry of education should work hand in hand with the media in creating awareness to the society so as to change the negative perception towards learners with special needs. This can be through the media like radios , newspapers, television, videos and magazines 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
Social challenge, Learners, Epilespy, Kibwezi district Kenya