Attitudes of teachers towards mentally retarded learners in Mosocho Division, Kisii county.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the teacher’s attitude towards primary school learners with mental disabilities in Mosocho Division, Kisii County. Learners spend more time with their teachers than their parents. If teachers developed negative attitude while teaching them, it might affect their learning greatly. The objectives of the study were; to find out the teachers’ attitudes towards primary schools children with mental disabilities; find out the effect of the teachers’ attitude on mentally retarded children in primary schools; To identify the knowledge teachers have on mentally retarded children; To find out how teachers co-operate with the administration to benefit the mentally retarded children and to find out suggestion for improving the education of mentally retarded children in primary schools. The theory which governed the research was the Person-centered theory by Dr. Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987) which states that every person should have within him or herself vast resources for self understanding. The significance of the study was to help all teachers and their trainers in understanding the need to have positive attitudes towards educating learners who were mentally retarded and also help other researchers and academicians who may use the study to propagate other studies related to the field. The study used a descriptive survey design. The population of the consisedt of the head teachers, teachers and deputy teachers in public primary schools in Mosocho Division, Kisii County. Six schools were selected and a sample of four teachers from each school. 24 teachers were selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected by use of questionnaires. Data was analyzed by use of statistical packages of social sciences (SPSS). The data was presented by use of frequency tables, pie charts and graphs.