CHALLENGES OF PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABLILITY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION PRACTICAL CLASSES IN SECONDARY AND PREPARATORY SCHOOLS OF ARBAMINICH TOWN, SNNPR

Abstract

his study was attempted to indentify Challenges of Participation of Students with Physical Disability in Physical Education Practical Classes in Secondary and Preparatory Schools of Arbaminich Town, SNNP.Using survey descriptive research design, it is attempted to seek out the problems and challenges affecting afore mentioned students participation in the subject as well as extracurricular activities. Semi structured questionnaire for teachers, structured interview both for students with disabilities 40, non-disabled 20, PE teachers 12aswell as 8 School administrators’ and observation using check lists was administered to a total of 80 deliberately selected subjects or informants in selected schools. The data obtained through these tools is analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitatively the analysis is made using tables and charts and qualitatively using words. Based on the result of this study the following major findings were drawn as the results shows that factors and challenges associated with materials, equipment, school compound, absence of disability sport competitions, poor pupil to pupil support, limited professional development trainings, incomprehensive curriculum is found as a challenge and problems which limits participation of disabled children in school Physical education and extracurricular activities. From the major findings, the researcher provided possible solutions for teachers, curriculum experts, students and all concerned bodies. Accordingly, curriculum experts and policy makers should reconsider teaching materials in different levels to make them inclusive, Physical education teachers should play great role in creating pupil to pupil interaction among disabled and non – disabled students, prepare disability sport competitions as for non disabled ones, create conditions for physical education teachers to take part in professional development trainings.