Role of Parents in the Education of Mentally Retarded Learners: A Case Study of Thika District of Kenya
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Date
2010-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, bachelors degree of education
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of parent's involvement in education
on the academic performance of the mentally retarded children in primary schools of
Garisa, Kianjau, Athena and St Patrick's in Thika Municipality.
The objectives of the study was to determine whether cultural beliefs among the parent~
affects the enrollments of mentally retarded children in the zone; determine whether the
parents teach their mentally retarded children adaptive skills; To establish whether the
parents of mentally retarded children play their role effectively as far as the education o·:
their children is concerns and to find out whether the parents understand and appreciate
the importance of taking their mentally retarded children for assessment.
The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The target population
in this study was all the parents and teachers of mentally retarded children in the zone.
Two parents of mentally retarded and teachers from each school constituted the sample
selected using non probabilistic method
The major findings from the study was that cultural beliefs, negligence, lack of
sensitization and lack of technical skills among the parents and the teachers are the major
cause of Low enrollment of mentally retarded children in the Zone.
The study recommended that parents and the siblings should appreciate their little
achievement in order to boost their morale. They should be allowed to socialize and
interact with their peers. They should provide simulate home environment.
They should give them an opportunity to learn through special education. This means
that the parents should play their role effectively. Teachers of mentally retarded children
should use a modified curriculum to accommodate the interest of these children. They
should provide and enrich and friendly environment to attract such learners. Those
teachers who have not under-gone special training should go for in service where they
will learn new skills of how to handle: these learners. They should take them for
assessment.
Description
A Research Report Submitted To The Institute Of Open And Distance Learning In Partial Fulfillment Of The Awards Of Bachelor Of Education Of Kampala International University.
Keywords
Parents, Mentally Retarded Learners, Thika District of Kenya