Challenges facing learners with epilepsy in selected primary schools a case of Shaviringa division, Hamisi district

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Date
2009-11
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Publisher
Kampala International University, Institute of Open and Distance Learning
Abstract
This research is about challenges facing learners with epilepsy in primary schools in Shaviringa Division of Hamisi District. The findings were drawn from a population of twenty primary school teachers in Shaviringa Division of Hamisi District .the instrument used to collect data were questionnaires, which were sent to twenty primary schools in Shaviringa Division of Hamisi District. The data was analyzed using frequency tables. The researcher found out that most primary schools in Shaviringa Division have learners with epilepsy and most of the learners 70% do not attend school regularly. 20% are very irregular in school and only 10% are regular in school Most of the learners with epilepsy 40% core below average academically 30% are average and 10% are above average. Majority of the teachers 70% would not like to teach learners with epilepsy. The reason being that they lack skills to handle learners with epilepsy. Only 20% of the teachers have trained in Special needs Education. Many teachers also think that epilepsy is contagious and many teachers would wish to isolate the learners with epilepsy. In conclusion, many teachers in Shaviringa Division have ignored learners with epilepsy in schools making them lack or loose interest in learning hence dropping out of school. Parents also see no point of taking such learners to school thinking that they cannot gain anything from school. Other learners also isolate themselves from learners with epilepsy making them appear miserable. Due to the challenges facing learners with epilepsy, teachers and the community as a whole need to be enlightened about the facts of epilepsy so that they may treat learners with epilepsy like any other child. The programme of Special Needs Education needs to be supported by the government so that many teachers can be trained of special Needs Education (SNE). Teacher training colleges should also train teachers on S.N.E so that they can take care of all learners with special needs m education.The (E.A.R.C) centers and their services should be made known to the teachers so that they can refer the learners with special needs in education to the centers for assessment and early intervention.
Description
A research report submitted to the Institute of Open and Distance Learning in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of a Degree in Special Needs Education of Kampala International University
Keywords
Challenges, learners
Citation