Influence of Special Needs Teachers on Mainstreaming of Learners with ASD in Public Primary Schools in Kirinyaga Central Sub- County, Kirinyaga County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Mugo, Lucy Wairimu
Wang’ang’a, Annrose
Nzoka, Stephen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IRJP
Abstract
Educational dynamics play an important role in the mainstreaming of learners with Autism
Spectrum Disorders (ASD) into regular classrooms. However, in Kirinyaga Central Subcounty, this is not the case since the number of learners with ASD in public primary schools
is low. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of special needs teachers on
mainstreaming of learners with ASD in public primary schools. The study was guided by the
dynamic theory of school factors. The study applied mixed methodology and thus adopted
concurrent triangulation research design. The target group consisted of 1276 respondents,
including 52 headteachers, 104 special education teachers, and 1120 learners with ASD. A
sample of 304 respondents was selected using Yamane's Formula. Questionnaires were used
to collect data from special needs teachers, interview schedules were used to collect data
from headteachers whereas observation checklist was used to collect data from learners with
ASD. Qualitative data was processed and presented in a narrative style. Quantitative data was
analyzed descriptively with frequencies and percentages and inferentially with Correlation
Analysis using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS 25) and presented in tables.
The study established that the number of learners with ASD enrolled in public primary
schools is very low due to the inadequate number of special needs teachers. Thus, the study
recommends that the Ministry of Education, through school heads, should recruit more
trained special needs teachers in public primary schools.
Description
Article
Keywords
Special Needs Teachers, Mainstreaming, Learners with ASD, Public Primary Schools
Citation
Mugo, L. W., & Nzoka, S. (2023). INFLUENCE OF SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHERS ON MAINSTREAMING OF LEARNERS WITH ASD IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KIRINYAGA CENTRAL SUB-COUNTY, KIRINYAGA COUNTY, KENYA. International Research Journal of Social Sciences, Education and Humanities, 5(2).