Infrastrural access challenges and their effects on enrolment of physically challenged learners integrated into public primary schools in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

The Kenyan government has put in place deliberate awareness policies and strategies to integrate learners with special needs in regular learning settings. This is to open doors for All and hence enrolment rates. Despite this learners with physical impairment continue to face specific challenges that hinder their enrolment in one way or another. People with physical disabilities have poorer health outcomes, lower education achievements, less economic participation and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities”(WHO, 2011).The objective of the study was to establish the infrastructural access challenges and their effects on enrolment of physically challenged learners integrated in public primary schools in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey design in collecting data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics that involved frequency and percentages, with the help of computer Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Documentary review was used to examine infrastructure situation in public primary schools Uasin-Gishu County. Major findings revealed that (75.8%) of learning institution had inadequate or total lack of infrastructure that directly support learners with physical impairments. Eighty five percent (85.3%) of infrastructure was accessible but with difficulty to learners with physical disabilities whereby (35.4) and (25.2) respectively were reported as being average and poor conditions. These findings have a great implication on enrolment rates of these learners. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education should enforce the relevant policies and impose stiff penalties for stakeholders who do not provide for accessibility leeway for all as they do constructions. Exististing School infrastructural facilities should be re inspected and evaluated with the aim of promoting access for learners with physical challenges