Table of Contents
DECLARATION ..................................................................................................................... ii
APPROVAL ............................................................................................................................ iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... iv
DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................ v
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................... x
CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................................................... I
THE PERCEPTION OF THE PROBLEMS ................................................................................ I
I. 0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 The Statement of the problem ................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Specific objective ................................................................................................................. .3
1.3.1 General objectives .............................................................................................................. 4
14 R h . . esearc questions ................................................................................................................ 4
1.5 Significance of the study ...................................................................................................... .4
1. 6 Scope of the study ................................................................................................................. 5
1.7 Justification of the study ........................................................................................................ 5
1.8 Conceptual Frame Work. ....................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER TWO ....................................................................................................................... 7
REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE ................................................................................. 7
2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 7
2. 1 General disability issues ........................................................................................................ 7
2.2 Socio-cultural and economic challenges ofCWDs ................................................................. 7
2.3 School based challenges ........................................................................................................ 9
2.4 The Challenges of Being a Teacher: To Be or Not To Be ...................................................... 9
2.5 Policy related challenges ..................................................................................................... 13
CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................... 16
METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 16
3.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 16
3 .1 The research design ............................................................................................................ 16
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3 .2 Area and population of study ............................................................................................... 16
3.3 Sample size ......................................................................................................................... 16
3.4 Sample selection .................................................................................................................. 16
3.5 Data collection techniques ................................................................................................... 17
3.6 Focus group discussions ...................................................................................................... 17
3. 7 Self-administered questionnaire ........................................................................................... 17
3. 8 Personal observation ........................................................................................................... 17
3. 9 Data analysis and processing .............................................................................................. 17
CHAPTER FOUR .................................................................................................................... 18
DATA PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF THE
RESEARCH FINDINGS ........................................................................................................ 18
4.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 18
4.2.1 School based challenges .................................................................................................. 20
4.2.2 Lack of parental support ................................................................................................... 21
4.2.3 Inadequate funding to schools ........................................................................................... 23
4.2.4 Inadequate facilities for the disabled ................................................................................. 23
4.2.4 The high number of pupils in the inclusive setting ............................................................ 25
4.2.5 There is also a lack of special needs teachers .................................................................... 26
4.2.6 The inaccessibility of some schools/long distance ............................................................. 28
4.2.7 Teachers' attitudes to disability ........................................................................................ 29
4.3.0 Socio-Cultural Challenges ................................................................................................ 29
4.3.1 Discrimination .................................................................................................................. 30
4.3.2 These children are also stereo typed by both the young and elderly alike .......................... 31
4.4.0 Economic challenges facing the disabled children ............................................................ 32
4.4.1 Poverty ............................................................................................................................. 33
4.4.2 These children are economically exploited ....................................................................... 34
4.4.3 There is also the household chores factor. ........................................................................ 35
CHAPTER FIVE . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . ......................................................................... 3 6
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................... 36
5.0. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 36
5.1 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 36
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5.1.1 School related challenges .................................................................................................. 36
5 .1.2 Socio- Cultural challenges ............................................................................................... .3 7
5.1.3 Economic challenges ....................................................................................................... 37
5 .1.4 Policy related challenges .................................................................................................. 3 7
5.2 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 38
5.3 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. ,.38
5.4 Limitations of the study ....................................................................................................... 39
5 .5 Recommendation for further research .................................................................................. 40
GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................ .41
6.0 Definition of key concepts ................................................................................................... 41
BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................... 44
APPENDIX I : Interview Guide For Focus Group Discussion .................................................. .49
APPENDIX II : Interview Guide For Children With Disabilities ............................................... 50
APPENDIX II: Interview Guide For Parents Of Children With Disabilities .............................. 51
APPENDIX II : Interview Questions Foe Key Informants ......................................................... 53
ABSTRACT This study was carried out to assess the challenges facing Children with Disabilities in accessing universal primary education program in Tororo district. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires accompanied by observation and interviews. The study involved 60 respondents and these were all involved in different activities at different levels. The study sought to establish whether the provision of free pnmary education led to the reduction of illiteracy rates and also rubs the negative attitude of the community members and the teachers towards the children with disabilities in schools. The findings indicate that the data was interpreted in accordance with the objectives of the study which include the school based, cultural, and economic challenges facing children with disabilities in accessing education. Finally recommendations were made like; equipping schools with teaching aids for children with special needs, involving the community in consultation when developing education policies, making the school environment accommodative to disabled children through counseling of the isolated and discriminated CWD' S.
