Factors influencing implementation of special education programmes in public primary schools in Kasarani District, Nairobi County

Abstract

The government of Kenya is committed to the protection and provision of equal opportunities to persons with special needs. The general objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the implementation of special education programmes in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi County. TI1e specific objectives of this study were: to find out the extent to hich financial resources influence the implementation of special education programmes in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi, to establish the influence of adequacy of skilled staff on implementation of special education programmes in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi, to investigate whether instructional materials influence the implementation of special education programmes in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi and; to establish the influence of effective supervision on implementation of special education programmes in public primary schools in Kasarani district, Nairobi. This study used descriptive research design whereby descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The target population of this study was 225 respondents. The sample size of the study was 68 possible respondents.

The researcher used questionnaire which was administered by use of research assistants. A pilot study was conducted in two schools outside the district to pre-test the instruments (reliability). Data was analyzed using the SPSS where descriptive statistics were presented through frequencies, distribution tables and percentages for ease of understanding. The study generated both theoretical implications and practical information which wiI1 be useful to educationists, teachers, students, parents, policy makers and other stakeholders in special education programmes in Kenya. The study concludes that the financial position of the sampled schools in Kasarani district support special education programmes implementation to a great extent. The study also concludes that teachers influence the implementation of special education programmes in tile schools to a moderate extent and that there are no adequate teachers to implement the teaching on special education programmes in the schools within Kasarani district. The study concludes that availability of instructional materials support implementation of special education programmes to a great extent. Finally, the study also concludes that effective supervision influences the implementation of special education programmes in the schools to a great extent.