Abstract

Philip M. Mugo

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study was to identify the level of teacher preparedness in handling learners with cerebral palsy in Laikipia-West district. The study had one objective; to determine the level of teachers’ preparedness in handling learners with cerebral palsy outside classroom environment in special schools. The study analyzed 7 special schools and 3 units in public institutions. The district had 38 teachers in special school and 6 teachers in special units totaling to 44 teachers. The study employed descriptive survey design. Both quantitative and quantitative approaches were employed in data collection. Questionnaires for teachers and head teachers were used for data collection. Purposeful sampling technique was applied to sample out respondents. A pilot study was carried out in order to identify any weakness in the tools. The analysis of data as guided by research objective was done both qualitatively and quantitatively.The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 for windows and presented using qualitative statements, frequency tables, bar graphs and percentages. One of the findings of the study was that there was a problem in teacher preparedness in handling learners outside the classroom environment. The study concluded that there was a problem in modifying adaptive devices necessary for teachers to help learners to cope with outside classroom environment. One of the recommendations was that in-house training refresher courses should be organized regularly in order to make teachers improve on the mode of handling learners while they are outside their classes. It further recommends that similar study should be repeated in another district to find out if the same result will be obtained.