Inclusive education for children with disabilities in Fiji: Teacher perspectives and attitudes
Citation
Export citationDaveta, M. L. (2009). Inclusive education for children with disabilities in Fiji: Teacher perspectives and attitudes (Thesis, Master of Special Education (MSpEd)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2769
Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2769
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to examine teacher perspectives andattitudes on inclusive education for children with disabilities in Fiji. Teachers'perspectives and attitudes are crucial in providing insights that couldhelp improve education and services for children with disabilities in regularschools in Fiji.A qualitative approach using semi structured interviews was selected asthe methodology for this research. Nine teachers from nine differentschools in Suva, the capital city of Fiji, participated in this research. Thenine participants were selected from three different school settings. Threeof the participants were from special schools, three were from primaryschools and three were from secondary schools.Data collected showed that teachers support inclusive education, however,they had reservations on the inclusion of students with severe disabilities.Several factors were identified to influence teachers' attitudes towards inclusion.The most common factors were severity of disability that the studentshad, inadequate training of teachers on teaching students with disabilities,inadequate government funding, lack of specialised resource personneland lack of appropriate equipment and resources to support studentsand teachers in the teaching learning process. Limited commitmentfrom the Ministry of Education and limited participation and consultation ofteachers on policy and curriculum design were also identified as contributingfactors for non inclusion of students with disabilities in regular schools.Teachers need to change their perspectives and attitudes and schoolsneed to be welcoming and prepared to accept all students with disabilitiesinto the general education system in Fiji.
Date
2009Type
Degree Name
Publisher
The University of Waikato
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- Masters Degree Theses [2493]