Analysis of professional qualifications of teachers educating learners with disabilities in regular public primary schools in Thika West District, Kiambu County: Kenya

Abstract

The study aimed at establishing the professional qualifications of teachers educating learners with learning disabilities. It embarked on interviews for head teachers, semi-structured questionnaires for teachers and finally a lesson observation schedule for learners with learning disabilities. The study was conducted in Thika West District. The sample size comprised 4 head teachers, 32 teachers and 64leamers making a total of 100 respondents. Data collected were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings of the study were that all teachers had professional qualifications to teach classes 1-4 but the majority had not specialized in the area of ill. The teachers did not have knowledge and tools for identifying learners with ill.~~study concluded that inadequate knowledge for. identification of ill and lack of appropriate identification tools could be the reason why learners with ill were not receiving appropriate instruction. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education facilitate workshops and in-service courses for teachers to enable them acquire adequate knowledge in identification of these learners. There is a need to develop standardized identification and assessment tools.