Implementation Status of Inclusive Education and Employment Policies for Persons with Disabilities in Selected Public Institutions in Liberia
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Collins, Edwina
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Inclusive education and employment for persons with disability are strategic global development objectives. The government of Liberia have implemented several policy measures to ensure inclusivity for persons with disabilities in these vital institutions. Despite the policy focus, the situation of persons with disabilities remains difficult as accessibility still remains a daunting challenge. This study therefore sought to assess the implementation status of inclusive education and employment policies for persons with disabilities in selected public institutions in Liberia. The objectives of the study were: To assess the extent to which public high schools have integrated accessibility for students with disabilities, To explore the degree to which public high schools are integrating gender in accessibility for students with disabilities, To establish the extent to which government policy on inclusive employment of persons with disability has been implemented in public institutions and To analyze the extent stakeholder believe and attitude promote or constraint the implementation of inclusive education and employment policies. This study is anchored on human right based and social models of disability. The research design incorporates both quantitative and qualitative methods. Purposive sampling was used to select 106 respondents comprising of students and employees with disabilities, principals and human resource directors. Quantitative data was collected through electronic data collection tools (Kobo/ Survey CTO) and transferred in Excel spreadsheets for descriptive analysis and comparison. Qualitative data was collected through key informant interviews and analyzed according to themes. Result from the study showed that students with disabilities attending public high schools had limited accessibility to physical structures, teaching aid and materials. And although students had access to gender differentiated toilets, the lack of water was a major sanitary issue especially for female students. Findings also showed that unlike males, female students were less knowledgeable and sensitized on policies on inclusive education policy. Moreover, it was established that persons with disabilities were still finding it difficult to secure employment with public institutions as inclusive employment policies were not implemented. Further analysis indicated that the perception of principals towards inclusive education and human resource directors towards inclusive employment policies had the propensity of constraining its implementation. The study also found that limited budgetary allocation to implement inclusive policies, lack of teacher training in disability pedagogy and unavailability of training materials for teachers and students for inclusive education were among factors contributing to gaps in the implementation of inclusive disability policies. The study recommends that the government of Liberia fund the Ministry of Education inclusive education budget to implement the necessary activities that will ensure accessibility for both male and female students with disabilities. The Ministry of Gender which coordinates all disability mainstreaming activities should ensure that government policies on inclusive employment including the 4% employment quota for persons with disabilities are implemented by all public institutions. Additional, the National Commission on Disability should create more public awareness on government inclusive policies.
Description
A Thesis Summited to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (Sociology, Gender and Development Studies) of the Kenyatta University, February, 2022
Keywords
Implementation Status, f Inclusive Education, Employment, Policies, Persons with Disabilities, Public Institutions, Liberia