scholarly journals AN INVESTIGATION OF SCHOOL-BASED CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MALAWI: A CASE STUDY OF FOUR PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ZOMBA DISTRICT

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-47
Author(s):  
Grames Chirwa ◽  
Francis Lingolwe ◽  
Devika Naidoo

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the challenges which schools are facing in implementing inclusive education in mainstream primary schools in Zomba district. Methodology: Qualitative research method which employed a case study design was used. Thirty-four participants were involved in this study. These were purposely sampled. Data was collected through interviews, documents review and classroom lesson observations to provide methodological triangulation. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis method inductively. Results: The results of the study indicated that the implementation of inclusive education is facing a number of challenges such as ineffective orientation of head teachers and teachers to inclusive education, unavailability of teaching and learning materials for special needs learners in the mainstream schools, lack of special needs specialist teachers and lack of infrastructure suitable for the diverse special education needs learners.   Unique contribution to theory and practice: The study recommended, that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology officers, that is the District Education Managers and the Primary Education Advisors involved in the implementation of inclusive education need to ensure that there is effective orientation training of the head-teachers teachers and teachers on inclusive education. The Ministry of education, Science and Technology should provide teaching and learning materials for the special education needs learners in the mainstream schools.

Author(s):  
Ioana Ghergulescu ◽  
Arghir-Nicolae Moldovan ◽  
Marilena Bratu ◽  
Cristina Hava Muntean ◽  
Gabriel-Miro Muntean

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saneeya Qureshi

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to argue that there are a number of key drivers for Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision that have to be met by Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) and teaching professionals so as to ensure optimal provision and inclusion for children with SEN in mainstream primary schools. Although the research has been carried out in England, there is a significant European Dimension to the issue, as a similar role to that of SENCOs in respect of SEN management already exists in countries such as Finland and Ireland, and is being considered in Italy.This paper focuses on the data gathered for the purpose of the author’s doctoral research in England, through questionnaires and interviews with SENCOs, head teachers and teachers. Thematic analysis was used to explore key drivers of SEN provision by practitioners who support children with SEN.Data illustrate that the key drivers of SEN provision include time; teacher openness to change; target setting; evidence of tried interventions; empowerment; decision-making and approachability. The implementation of such drivers depend largely on practitioner skills and competencies.The main conclusion within this paper is to develop points of reference for planning and practice, with illustrations of optimal provision by all practitioners who work with children with SEN.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (04) ◽  
pp. 1292-1303
Author(s):  
Mary Jebii Chemagosi

The competency based curriculum was introduced in Kenya in 2016 as pilot study for the new curriculum but adapted in 2019 in all pre-schools and lower primary school levels. The curriculum is viewed as a panacea in solving problems of unskilled school leavers with knowledge based to practical based curriculum. The objective of the study was to establish teachers’ preparedness on implementation of competence based curriculum in lower public primary schools in Kilifi and Nandi counties, Kenya. The study used descriptive research design. Data was collected by use of questionnaire, interview schedule and observation schedule. The sample used was 48 head teachers, 48 teachers that were purposively selected. A pilot study was conducted in two schools one from each of the two Counties to pre-test the instruments. The study made use of teachers’ questionnaire, head teachers interview schedule and observation schedule to collect and analyse data from the participants. Validity was ensured by face and content validity while Split-half technique ensured reliability. The quantitative and qualitative data were simultaneously analysed in order to triangulate the findings of the study. The results shows that the overall model is significant (F=6.006, p<0.05) and the coefficient also shows that teacher preparedness contributes significantly on implementation of competency based curriculum (β=0.342, t=7.985, p>0.05).This implies that teacher preparedness significantly influence implementation of competency based curriculum and therefore the hypothesis that there is no significant difference between teachers’ preparedness and implementation of competency based curriculum was rejected. The study recommended that the Ministry of education to ensure teachers are equipped with requisite skills, knowledge and teaching and learning resources to adequately prepare teachers for competency based curriculum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-112
Author(s):  
Dorine Adhiambo Obara ◽  
Charles Michael Were

The Government of Kenya made inclusive education a policy requirement in the provision of education to all children. Research has shown that the support given by teachers plays a very important role in curriculum implementation that ensures success in a child`s career. Education Assessment records in Kisumu county indicate that between the year 2012 and 2016, 846 learners who are physically challenged had been assessed and placed in regular schools in Kisumu West, Kisumu Central and Kisumu East sub-counties, out of which 246 had dropped out of school. However, Learners who are physical challenged often drop out of school more as compared to their regular counterparts particularly in Kisumu West Sub-County. The number of learners who are physically challenged enrolled in regular primary schools has been decreasing due to dropouts despite the fact that officers in Kisumu EARC conducted sensitization programs and workshops yearly for teachers and stakeholders in education. This decrease is confirmed at 138 (31.9%), which is higher as compared to the dropout of neighboring sub-counties namely: Kisumu East 31 (21.8%) and Kisumu Central 77(28.4%). Reason for this high dropout has not been established. The purpose of this study was therefore to establish teachers’ level of support in the use of teaching and learning resources of learners who are physically challenged  in regular primary schools in Kisumu West Sub-County and objective of this study therefore was to establish teachers’ level of support in the use of teaching and learning resources of learners who are physically challenged. A conceptual framework was used to show the interaction of dependent and independent variables. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. Target population of the study consisted of 15 head teachers, 30 teachers, 6 EARC coordinators and 90 learners who are physically challenged. Saturated sampling technique was used to select 13 head teachers and 4 EARC coordinators, while purposive sampling was used to select 27 teachers and 81 learners who are physically challenged. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklist.  Face and content validity of instruments was established through expert judgment and revision. Reliability of instruments was established through test-retest method on 10% of study population using Pearson’s product correlation. Reliability coefficient for head teachers questionnaire was 0.8, teachers’ questionnaires was 0.9; Learners who are physically challenged questionnaires was 0.7. This was above the accepted value of 0.7. Correlation coefficient analysis was used to establish teachers’ level of support in the use of teaching and learning resources f learners  who are physically challenged. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and mean. Qualitative data from interview and observation schedules were collected, organized and categorized into themes and sub-themes, which were reported. Findings of the study indicated that most regular primary schools did not have adequate adapted teaching and learning resources required for learners who are physically challenged. The study recommended that Ministry of Education should ensure adequate supply of adapted teaching and learning resources, Findings of this study would be useful to teachers, EARC coordinators, and Ministry of Education.


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