Teachers Attitude on Inclusive Education and Learners with Disabilities in Kisumu County, Kenya

Attitudinal disposition of teachers towards inclusive education in primary schools has drawn diverse reactions from educationist and parents alike. Positive attitude by teachers enhances success of inclusion while negative attitude is an impediment. Teachers play a pivotal role in curriculum implementation hence the significance of their attitude. The study was carried out in Kisumu County in Western Kenya to explore the influence of teacher’s attitude towards inclusion and learners with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Using descriptive survey design, it targeted 25 schools practicing inclusive education, 270 teachers including head teachers and 14 education managers. Both purposive and saturated sampling techniques were used to sample the units of analysis. The study findings indicated that teachers teaching in inclusive classrooms express negative attitude towards inclusion and children with disabilities and this impacts adversely on curriculum implementation. The study recommended a paradigm shift in teacher’s attitude towards inclusion by reviewing the pre service curriculum to equip them with the right knowledge and skills.