THE ROLE OF SCHOOL LEADERS IN SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF SHASHEMANE TOWN, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

he purpose of this study was to assess the role of school leaders in supporting students with physical disability in secondary schools of Shashamene Town. To conduct this study, descriptive survey design was employed. Participants of the study were 84 school leaders (18 school principals, 60 departments’ heads and 6 supervisors), 70 teachers, 6 PTA heads, and 12 students with physical disabilities. The necessary data was collected using questionnaire, interview, and observation. Both descriptive (percent and frequency) and inferential (T-test) statistical analysis were employed. The findings of the study revealed that role of school leaders towards supporting students with physical disabilities were low. Still they believe that only teachers with extensive special need education experiences can be expected to deal with students with physical disabilities and students with physical disability should be placed in special classes designed for them because they are not profited from contact with others students. On the other hand, practices of supports provision for students with physical disabilities in secondary schools were unsatisfactory. Some of the challenges that affected school leaders in supporting students with physical disability were lack of career services/ counseling for students with physical disability, lack of skill and training of school leaders, inadequate educational facilities, and insecure environment in and outside schools. The finding of the study come up with the following suggestions such as allocate necessary material and financial input, providing career services/ counseling, providing educational support for students with physical disability, changing negative attitude against students with physical disability, accessing appropriate physical arrangements and providing training for school leaders.