Factors influencing provision of inclusive education in primary schools in Dadaab refugee camp, Kenya.

Abstract

This study sought to investigate factors influencing provision of inclusive education in primary schools in Daadab Refugee camp, Kenya. It was conducted in 19 primary schools in Daadab Refugee camp. The research used Descriptive survey research design to conduct investigation. The researcher sampled 19 primary schools` head teachers and 78 teachers to conduct the study. Primary data were mainly collected using head teachers` and teacher s` questionnaires that were pretested to ensure reliability and validity. Data collected were analyzed using a combination of statistical computations. These included frequencies, percentages, mean and mode. The analyzed data were interpreted and presented using frequency tables and texts for clarity. The study examined the preparedness of teachers to handle the provision of Inclusive Education, the adequacy of teaching and learning resources, the availability of physical facilities, the appropriateness of school curriculum, the adequacy of support services and attitude of teachers towards inclusive education. The main findings of the study were that the physical facilities in the primary schools in Daadab refugee camp were not adequate and appropriate to ac commodate learners with special needs. The schools’ physical environment lacked assistive devices like ramps and crutches. It also found that teachers` and head teachers` professional competence levels were a barrier to successful implementation of inclusi ve learning in the primary schools in Daadab. The study recommended that the Kenya government should upgrade the physical set up of the schools aiming at making them barrier free to Special Needs Education learners. The Ministry of Education should conside r increasing the funds for teaching and learning resources to ensure learners with special needs are adequately and appropriately catered for. More funds should be sourced from donors, well wishers and Non Governmental Organization’s to diversify provision of adequate and appropriate facilities in the primary schools. The government should restructure the Teachers’ Training Colleges` curriculum so as to include the areas of specialization in special needs in education curriculum. The research study suggeste d future areas of study which were to establish whether Special Needs Education learners` talents are nurtured and also the extent to which the Daadab refugee camp graduates positively impact on the citizens in their countries of origin once they relocate