Factors Influencing the Implementation of Free Basic Education Program for Learners With Autism

97 Pages·2016·1.16 MB·English

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FREE BASIC
EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM IN
SELECTED SCHOOLS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

BY

KITHII KALEKYE MAGDALENE

A RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN PROJECT
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

2016
DECLARATION
This is my original work and has not been presented to the University of Nairobi or any other
university for an award.

--------------------------------- Date -------------------
Magdalene Kalekye Kithii
L50/65754/2013

This research project report is submitted for examination with my approval as the university
supervisor.

------------------------------- Date ------------------
Professor Harriet Kidombo
Department of Extra- Mural Studies,
University of Nairobi
ii
DEDICATION
This study is dedicated to my sons, Brian, Steve and Allan who have endured the challenges of
one of their own being on The Spectrum.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to immensely thank my supervisor, Professor Harriet Kidombo, for her guidance in the
entire process of this study. Her wise counsel and valuable input shaped this study. I also thank
the Board of Postgraduate Studies for granting me the opportunity to take the course on part time
basis. The contribution of the lecturers and entire staff of the Extra Mural studies, and of the
entire University of Nairobi cannot be underestimated and I sincerely thank them. My fellow
students who I interacted with in one way or the other in the course of my study, I acknowledge
and thank you for your contribution in the realization of the study. My family, my husband,
Alfred and my three sons, you greatly supported me in all ways possible, and put up with my
absence from home as I pursued the course and so I salute you all. May God bless you all.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION........................................................................................................................... ii
DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. v
LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... ix
LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... ix
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................... xi
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ xiii
CHAPTER ONE :INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background of the study ....................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the problem ...................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Purpose of the study .............................................................................................................. 3
1.4 Objectives of the study .......................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Research questions ................................................................................................................ 3
1.6 Significance of the study ....................................................................................................... 4
1.7 Delimitations of the study ..................................................................................................... 4
1.8 Limitations of the study......................................................................................................... 5
1.9 Assumptions of the study ...................................................................................................... 5
1.10 Definition of significant terms ............................................................................................ 5
1.11 Organization of the study .................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER TWO : LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................... 8
2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Autism/Autistic spectrum disorder........................................................................................ 8
2.2.1 Inclusion and autism education ...................................................................................... 9
2.2.2 Special education for learners with autism ................................................................... 10
2.2.3 Implementation of Free basic education program in Kenya ......................................... 11
2.3 Support services and the inclusion of ASD children in the free basic education program in
public schools in Nairobi County .............................................................................................. 13
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2.4 Capacity building and the implementation of free basic education program of ASD
children in public schools .......................................................................................................... 17
2.5 Curriculum design and implementation of free basic education program for children with
ASD ........................................................................................................................................... 21
2.6 Monitoring and evaluation and the implementation of free basic education program for
children with ASD ..................................................................................................................... 23
2.7 Theoretical framework ........................................................................................................ 25
2.8 Conceptual framework ........................................................................................................ 27
2.9 Summary and Research gaps.............................................................................................. 28
CHAPTER THREE:RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................................................... 29
3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 29
3.2 Research design ................................................................................................................... 29
3.3 Target population ................................................................................................................ 29
3.4 Sample size and sampling technique ................................................................................... 30
3.5 Research instruments........................................................................................................... 31
3.5.1 Pilot testing ................................................................................................................... 31
3.5.2 Validity of instruments ................................................................................................ 32
3.5.3 Reliability of instruments ........................................................................................... 32
3.6 Data collection procedures .................................................................................................. 33
3.7 Data analysis procedures ..................................................................................................... 33
3.8 Ethical considerations ......................................................................................................... 33
3.9 Operational definition of the variables ................................................................................ 34
CHAPTER FOUR : DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND
DISCUSSIONS ............................................................................................................................ 36
4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 36
4.2 Response rate....................................................................................................................... 36
4.3 General information of respondents .................................................................................... 36
4.3.1 Teachers‟ gender and period of interaction with learners on ASD .............................. 36
4.3.2 Gender of school child and age at diagnosis with ASD ............................................... 37
4.4 Support services and the implementation of free basic education program for learners with
autism ........................................................................................................................................ 39
4.4.1 Importance of support services ..................................................................................... 39
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4. 4.2 Parents‟ view on necessity of support services ........................................................... 40
4.4.3 Support services offered in the free basic education program in schools of learners
with ASD ............................................................................................................................... 41
4.5 Capacity building and the implementation of free basic education to learners with autism42
4.5.1 Teachers‟ highest level of education ............................................................................ 42
4.5.2 Training levels of Teachers on autism condition .......................................................... 43
4.5.3. Teachers‟ skills on special intervention services for learners with autism .................. 43
4.5.4 Staffing levels in classes with children with ASD ....................................................... 45
4.5.5 Non-teaching staff working with learners with ASD in public schools ....................... 46
4.6 Curriculum design and implementation of free basic education program for learners with
autism ........................................................................................................................................ 48
4.6.1 Special curriculum for autistic learners ........................................................................ 48
4.6.2 Guide to class activities for learner with autism........................................................... 49
4.6.3 Individual education program (IEP) for the learner with autism .................................. 50
4.6.4 Curriculum delivery techniques and strategies ............................................................. 51
4.6.5 Teaching and learning resources and free basic education for learners with autism ... 52
4.7 Monitoring and Evaluation and implementation of free basic education program to
learners with autism .................................................................................................................. 54
4.7.1 Assessment and promotion of learners ......................................................................... 54
4.7.2 Assessment by quality and standards department ........................................................ 56
CHAPTER FIVE : SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................................ 59
5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 59
5.2 Summary of findings ........................................................................................................... 59
5.2.1 Support services and implementation of free basic education for learners with autism
............................................................................................................................................... 59
5.2.2 Capacity building and implementation of free basic education for learner with autism
............................................................................................................................................... 60
5.2.3 Curriculum design and implementation of free basic education program for learner
with ASD ............................................................................................................................... 60
5.2.4 Monitoring and evaluation and implementation of free basic education program to
learners with autism ............................................................................................................... 61
5.3 Conclusions of the study ..................................................................................................... 62
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5.4 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 64
5.5 Suggestion for further research ........................................................................................... 65
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 66
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................. 72
APPENDIX 1: LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ........................................................................ 72
APPENDIX 2: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TEACHERS ........................................................... 73
APPENDIX 3: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PARENTS .............................................................. 77
APPENDIX 4: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR HEAD TEACHER ..................................... 80
APPENDIX 5: INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
OFFICER .................................................................................................................................. 82
APPENDIX 6 INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR DIRECTOR, KISE ..................................... 83
APPENDIX 7 RESEARCH PERMIT FROM NACOSTI ........................................................ 84

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1 Respondent categories-------------------------------------------------------------------------30
Table 3.2 Operational definition of variables -----------------------------------------------------------35
Table 4.1 No. of years teachers worked with learners on ASD -----------------------------------37
Table 4.2 Gender of child ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------37
Table 4.3 Age of child at diagnosis with autism -------------------------------------------------------38
Table 4.4 Place of diagnosis of child with Autism -----------------------------------------------------38
Table 4.5 Teachers‟ rating of importance of support services ----------------------------------------39
Table 4.6 Parents‟ view on necessity of support services in school ---------------------------------40
Table 4.7 Education level of teachers of learners with ASD -----------------------------------------42
Table 4.8 Level teacher trained on autism behavior and management-------------------------------43
Table 4.9 Level of teachers‟ skills for classroom intervention of learners with autism-----------44
Table 4.10 Teachers‟ employer -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46
Table 4.11 teachers‟ responses on presence of curriculum for ASD learners ----------------------49
Table 4.12 teachers‟ responses on guide to school activities for a learner with ASD -------------49
Table 4.13 Parents‟ involvement in child‟s academic and other activities in the school ---------50
Table 4.14 Instructional techniques used by teachers of CwASD -----------------------------------51
Table 4.15 Parents‟ responses on no. of higher levels attained by their children in the last 5 years
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------55
Table 4.16 Parents‟ view on achievement of specific skills by learners on ASD ------------------55
Table 4.17 Number of visits per year by quality and standards officers to the autism units------56
Table 4.18 Impact of evaluation process on provision of resources and staffing levels ----------57
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Conceptual Framework------------------------------------------------------------------------27

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