Investigation of strategies teachers use to manage asthmatic learners. a case of Thome primary school, Ruiru district, Kiambu county, Kenya

Abstract

This study will investigate strategies used by teachers to deal with asthmatic learners in Thome Primary School in Ruiru District, Kiambu County, Kenya. This is because the district is in an urban setting with many industries which emit smoke. In most cases, from the months of May through early September the temperatures are low, causing a serious challenge to the asthmatic learners as the cold environment aggravates the asthma attacks. The study will use social cognitive theory by Bandura (1997). The SCT is preferred for the study because it explains how people acquire and maintain certain behavioral pattern, while also providing the basis for intervention strategies. The study will use purposive sampling in determining the study area. Purposive sampling will be used to sample 32 learners with asthmatic conditions, 32 parents, 4 class teachers and the head teacher of the school. The sample size will therefore be 69 participants. Structured interviews and questionnaires will be used to collect information from the class teacher and parents. The interview schedule will provide rich information to address the research questions. On the other hand, focused group discussions will be used to collect information from asthmatic learners and class teachers. These instruments will be piloted in three schools; Kahawa Garrison, Kenyatta University and Githurai primary schools because they have similar characteristics as the sample schools. This will be done to ascertain clarity, appropriateness and relevance of the questions. Test retest technique will be used to determine the reliability of the instruments. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used to investigate if there is any significant difference in asthma attack in learners based in their gender. Quantitative data will be analyzed by use of strata package and presented using pie charts, tables and percentages and qualitative data will be analyzed thematically.