Challenges of Teacidng Visually Imp Aired Students In An Inclusive Classroom: The Case of Two Selected Primary Schools In Amhara Region

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Date

2007-07

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Addis Ababauniversity

Abstract

The principal purpo e of thi study was to assess challenges of teaching visually impaired tudents in an inclusive clas room in two selected second cycle primary schools of Amhara region. To achieve this objective a descriptive survey method was employed and data were collected through in truments such as questionnaires, interview, focus group discussion and observation. The respondents were 45 teacher, 42 visually impaired students, 16 sighted students, principals, vice principals and the coordinators of visually impaired students in both schools. Teachers and visually impaired students were given two sets of questionnaires which sought their responses regarding challenges to teaching visually impaired student in an inclusive classroom. Interview . and focu group discussion were conducted with the schools administrator and 16 sighted students respectively. The data that collect~d through questionnaires were tabulated and analysed using mainly percentage and mean in a few places, whereas, the data collected through interview, focus group discussion and observation were analyzed by categorization, direct interpretation and developing generalization based on the data obtained. Concerning the results, the main findings shows that most teachers and principals have lack of understanding regarding the concept of inclusive education although there are some teachers and coordinators who have limited and good understanding about it. The findings shows that teachers have negative attitudes towards teaching in an inclu ive classroom Moreover, it shows that teachers have faced problems in playing their roles and in employing different teaching strategies in an inclusive classroom due to lack of training, large class size, heavy teaching load, abseflce of wide classroom etc. Furthermore, it shows thaI chronic shortage of special materials in the students hand and in the schools library, inconvenient learning environment are among practical problems that strongly challenge the teaching learning process in an inclusive classroom

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Keywords

Inclusive Classroom

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