Teachers Training Towards Implementation of Inclusive Education in Public Primary Schools in Dodoma Region-Tanzania

Abstract

This study examined teachers’ training towards implementation of inclusive education in public primary schools in Dodoma Region. The study was focused on examining teachers’ training towards the implementation of inclusive education in Public Primary schools in Dodoma region. The study was grounded in Theory of Justice pioneered by John Rawls and was be guided by one research question. The study employed convergent design under mixed approach. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques was used to sample respondents. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques followed by simple random sampling technique were used to get the respondents. The target population involved 08 DEO’s, 13 head teachers, 280 teachers and 11,460 pupils. Probability and non-probability sampling procedures were employed to determine the study sample of 12 schools, 07 DEO’s, 12 head teachers, 84 teachers and 386 pupils, making a total of 489 respondents. The instruments used to collect data were questionnaires and interview guides. Reliability of the questionnaire was tested by using Cronbach Alpha formula; while conformability of qualitative data was ensured by increasing transparency with regards to adherence to data collection procedures and ethics. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The quantitative data were coded and analyzed through frequencies, percentages, and mean scores in tables and interpreted in relation to research questions. The qualitative data were analyzed by coding contents into themes, interpreting direct quotations and presented in narrative form. The findings revealed that, government primary school teachers need to be involved in long-term pre-service training in special needs education to be equipped with knowledge and skills regarding teaching and learning strategies and inclusive classroom management. The study concluded that, special education training in inclusive education practices is essential element to enhance teachers’ preparedness to work with special needs pupils as well as enhances their effectiveness in implementing classroom practices, which is a contributing factor to success in inclusive education. The study recommended that Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should organize seminars, workshops and in-service training courses to enhance teachers’ effectiveness in implementation of inclusive education.