Disability and Access to Education in Primary Schools in Hamarjajab District, Mogadishu - Somalia

ABSTRACT 

This study was carried out to assess disabled learners’ access to primary education in Hamarjajab district, Mogadishu Somalia. Specifically the study sought to; determine the risks that disabled learners face while travelling to school in Mogadishu; establish how the school environment meet the needs of disabled learners in primary schools in Mogadishu; determine the challenges disabled learners face while studying in primary schools in Mogadishu. This study adopted a mixed method design. It employed a cross section survey of 37 learners and 30 parents as well 37 key informants who included teachers, administrators, district education officers and disable people organizations. The findings show that disabled learners are prone to accidents in form of being knocked down by cars while moving to schools (64% of the respondents combined): learners also face an unfriendly climate which features as a major barrier (56% of the respondent): Disabled learners face abuses from members of the public in form discrimination (47% of the respondent): Secondly, schools have tried to enhance access of mobility devices in their environment, but more still needs to be done. In particular ramps have not been given priority in the design of learning facilities. Teaching methods and the human resource (staff) to specifically address the needs of disabled learners are to a large extent not satisfactory. The results further show that normal learning methods are utilized to a large extent (47% of the respondent): The problem is compounded by fact a large number of staff are normal teachers. (58% of the respondent): The study found out that most disabled learners trek to schools cover an average of 1.5km to access the closest school (56% of the respondent). In conclusion, disabled learners face risks, un-conducive school environments and numerous challenges which hamper their access to education. The study recommends that government and development partners should mobilize resources aimed at improving roads, building of more inclusive schools, equipping of learning centers with facilities and human resources to enhance access to education for the disabled learners.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ...........................................................................................................................................i

APPROVAL .................................................................................................................................................ii

DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................................iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...........................................................................................................................iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS..............................................................................................................................v

LIST OF TABLES.....................................................................................................................................viii

ACRONYMS...............................................................................................................................................ix

ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................................................x

CHAPTER ONE .........................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1

1.0 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Back ground to the study ........................................................................................................................1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective ..........................................................................................................................1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective ........................................................................................................................4

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective ........................................................................................................................5

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective.........................................................................................................................5

1.2 Statement of the Problem........................................................................................................................7

1.3 Overall objective.....................................................................................................................................8

1.4 Research objectives.................................................................................................................................8

1.5 Research Questions.................................................................................................................................8

1.6 Scope of the study...................................................................................................................................8

1.6.1 Content Scope ......................................................................................................................................8

1.6.2 Geographical Scope .............................................................................................................................8

1.6.3 Time Scope ..........................................................................................................................................9

1.6.4 Theoretical Scope.................................................................................................................................9

1.7 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................................................9

1.8 Operational definition of key terms ........................................................................................................9

CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................................................10

LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................................10

2.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................10

2.1 Theoretical Review...............................................................................................................................10

2.2 Conceptual Framework.........................................................................................................................11

2.3 Related Literature..................................................................................................................................12

2.3.4 Accessibility to education by disabled learners.................................................................................17

CHAPTER THREE..................................................................................................................................21

METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................21

3.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................21

3.1 Research Design....................................................................................................................................21

3.2 Study Area ............................................................................................................................................21

3.3 Study Population...................................................................................................................................21

3.4 Quantitative sample size .......................................................................................................................22

3.5 Sampling Procedure ..............................................................................................................................23

3.6 Research Instruments............................................................................................................................24

3.7 Validity and Reliability.........................................................................................................................24

3.6.1 Validity of the research instruments ..................................................................................................24

3.6.2 Reliability of the instruments.............................................................................................................25

3.7 Data Gathering Procedures ...................................................................................................................25

3.8 Data Analysis........................................................................................................................................25

3.9 Ethical Considerations..........................................................................................................................26

3.10 Limitations delimitations of the Study................................................................................................26

CHAPTER FOUR: ...................................................................................................................................27

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS.....................................27

4.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................27

4.2 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents ......................................................................................27

4.3 The risks that disabled learners face while travelling to school............................................................29

4.5 School environment and needs of disabled learners.............................................................................33

4.6 Challenges disabled learners face while accessing education in primary schools................................37

4.7 Multiple regression analysis..................................................................................................................42

CHAPTER FIVE:.....................................................................................................................................43

DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................43

5.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................43

5.2 The discussion of findings ....................................................................................................................43

5.2 Conclusions...........................................................................................................................................46

5.3 Recommendations.................................................................................................................................46

5.4 Area for further study............................................................................................................................47

APPENDIX I: REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................i

APPENDIX II: CONSENT LETTER..........................................................................................................iii

APPENDIXIII: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE DISABLED CHILDREN................iv

APPENDIX IV: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR DISABLED LEARNERS .......................................................ix

APPENDIX V: KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL

ADMINISTRATORS ................................................................................................................................xiv

APPENDIX VI: KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

ORGANIZATIONS AND DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS ...........................................................xv

APPENDIX VII: TIME FRAME FOR RESEARCH................................................................................xvi

APPENDIX VIII: RESEARCH BUDGET...............................................................................................xvii