| dc.description.abstract | Education is widely regarded as a basic human right which should be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the full development of the human personality (UNESCO 1948). According to the Salamanca statement (1994) every child has a right to be educated in an inclusive setting without discrimination. The key player in the implementation of inclusive, or rather, integration of learners with disabilities into the mainstream schools is the teacher; the teacher has got the most significant influence on the learning environment.
The study sought to investigate the teachers' preparedness in the integration of learners with physical disabilities in public pre-schools. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the teachers' preparedness in the integration of learners with physical disabilities in public pre-schools. The literature review depicted the concept of integration; physical disabilities; educational needs of learners with physical disabilities; links with other disciplines; environmental adaptations; facilities and materials; and challenges facing children in integrated schools.
The study adopted the survey study research design. To ensure equal representation, simple random sampling was done. Tools used to solicit information included questionnaires for head teachers and teachers, interview schedule for the parents and observation schedule for children. Validity of the instruments was appraised by the supervisors and through pre-testing while the reliability was tested through pilot study.
The study established that most preschool teachers are not trained in special needs education. Also it was established that early childhood education teachers are not employed by the government. Instead they are employed by the parents hence their job security is not guaranteed. The government should lay clear policy and laws to enhance integration of learners with physical disabilities, train early childhood education teachers on special needs education and employ them on permanent and pensionable terms. | en_US |
