Analysis of the challenges hindering children with disabilities in accessing better primary education services:

Abstract

This study was conducted on analysis of the challenges hindering children with disabilities in accessing better primary education services in Ngoleriet Sub County, Napak district. The objective of the study was to analyze the challenges hindering children with disability in accessing better primary education services in Ngoleriet Sub County, Napak district. The sample size of 58 respondents was used to obtain the data. An exploratory study design was used to analyze the respondents’ views on the challenges. Other tools used include purposive and snowball sample techniques to capture information from knowledgeable group of respondents. Qualitative and quantitative methodology was also used in the study where by qualitative method used focus group discussions while quantitative method mainly relied on questionnaires. The findings showed that 95% of Socio-cultural factors such as Negative teachers and peer attitudes, negative parental attitude and practices, Isolation affects educational needs of CWDs in accessing better education services, among other factors was the School related factors which stood at 85%-90% such as; curriculum and teaching style, lack of instructional materials, inadequate funding to schools, Long distances to schools, disability friendly facilities, inadequate appropriate teaching and learning materials and lack of skills in sign language and braille by teachers for communicating to children with disabilities especially those with hearing and visual impairment and More than 75% of parents/ caregivers and 90% of Children with Disabilities feigned ignorance over awareness of the existence of the policies, laws and bills of rights to address Children with Disabilities issues. xi It can be concluded that school related factors and socio-economic factors have affected the Children with disabilities from accessing better primary education services in Ngoleriet Sub County and Napak district as a whole. It is therefore recommended that the Ministry of Education should ensure that infrastructure provided per Sub County is modified so that it is accessible by children with disabilities and also teachers should be trained in sign language and braille, meanwhile all teachers training institutions should include sign language and braille in their curriculum. Lastly awareness raising to parents of Children with Disabilities should be conducted so as to enable them appreciate Education of their Children and take them to school rather than hiding them at home.