Teachers' Attitude Towards Mentally Retarded Learners And Their Performance In Inclusive Setting In Kamukunji Division, Nairobi North District-Kenya

ABSTRACT

The topic of the study was teachers' attitude towards mentally retarded learners and their

petformance in inclusive setting in Kamukunji Division, Nairobi District Kenya.

The major objectives of the study were to find out; whether the regular school teachers

have knowledge of who are the mentally retarded learners, if they have them in their

classes, their level of interaction, performance and socialization with their "normal peers"

at school.

To find out what assistance strategies do the regular school teachers and the

administration do to assist these learners in the schools. Data collection tools used by the

researcher were a questionnaire that covered a wide range of age, experience. education

and professional level bracket. It was designed, printed, distributed and collected for

analysis. The major findings were that. the teachers are aware of who are the mentally

retarded learners and they have them in their schools. The interactions and performance

while among their "normal" peers is far below average. It has also come out clearly that

the teachers and their administration give little attention and assistance to these learners.

The major recommendations are that the government through the ministry of education

has to formulate and enforce policies on the education of the mentally handicapped

among other handicaps. Curriculum developers included should adapt suitable curriculum, relevant material and fund its implementation.

The field officers should ensure good attention to these learners through the class teachers and special needs education teachers. In conclusion, since mentally retarded learners are not adequately catered for, it is so important to all sectors, school administrators, and the government through the ministry of education to give an upper hand m ensunng quality education for the mentally handicapped.