Role of Parents in the Education of Mentally Retarded Learners-Case Study of Thika District Of Kenya

ABSTRACT 

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of parent's involvement in education on the academic performance of the mentally retarded children in primary schools of Garisa, Kianjau, Athena and St Patrick's in Thika Municipality. 

The objectives of the study was to determine whether cuLunl beliefs among the parent~ affects the enrolments of mentally retarded children in the zone; determine whether the parents teach their mentally retarded children adaptive  skills;  To establish whether the parents of mentally retarded children play their role effectively as far as the education of their children is concern and to find out whether the parents understand and appreciate the importance of taking their mentally retarded children for assessment.

The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The target population in this study was all the parents and teachers of mentally retarded children in the zone. Two parents of mentally retarded and teachers from each school constituted the sample selected using non probabilistic method. The major findings from the study was that cultural beliefs, negligence, lack of sensitization and lack of technical skills among the parents and the teachers are the major cause of Low enrolment of mentally retarded children in the Zone. 

The study recommended that parents and the siblings should appreciate their little achievement in order to boost their morale.  They should be allowed to socialize and interact with their peers.  They should provide simulative home environment. They should give them an opportunity to learn through special education.  This means that the parents should play their role effectively.  Teachers of mentally retarded children should use a modified curriculum to accommodate the interest of these children.  They should provide and enrich and friendly environment to attract such learners.  Those teachers who have not under-gone special training should go for in service where they will learn new skills of how to handle: these learners.  They should take them for assessment.