Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on New Trends in Social Sciences
Year: 2023
DOI:
[PDF]
Support services available for children with disabilities at early childhood centers in the New Juabeng Municipality, Ghana
Georgina Kuade, Acquah Justice Maxwell, Michael Subbey
ABSTRACT:
The study used a constructivist lens to explore the support services available for children with disabilities at early childhood centers in the New Juabeng Municipality, Ghana. The exploratory case study design was employed in the study and purposive sampling technique was used to select 31 respondents comprising 10 teachers and 21 learners. The study used semi-structured interview and observational checklist to collect data from respondents. Four (4) disability types were found which included; Low Vision (Partially sighted), Hyperactive, Hearing impairment and children with Learning Disabilities. Each of the early childhood centers under study recorded at least one disability. It was revealed by the study that the level of training in special education for teachers handling learners with disability is inadequate and in-service training is not regularly organized for teachers in the inclusive early childhood centers. The study also revealed that there are inadequate supply of teaching and learning resources to the early childhood centers. The study showed that the physical structure, furniture, behaviour and class management are among some of the challenges faced by teachers in handling learners with disability in inclusive early childhood centers. It was recommended that teachers should be given enough training in special education by the institutions mandated to train teachers to enable them handle learners with disability effectively. In addition, Ghana Education Service should supply the early childhood centers with the needed resources for effective teaching and learning.
keywords: support services, early childhood, special education, disability, Persons with Disability (PWDs)