Regular Teachers’ Perceptions of Learners With Epilepsy in an Inclusive Educational Setting in Kamukunji Division, Nairobi, Kenya

TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION . .. .. APPROVAL

DEDICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ~ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF TABLES ~ viii ACRONYMS ix DEFINiTION OF TERMS. x ABSTRACT xi

CHAPTER 1 1

LO Introduction 1 Li Background to the Study ~ 1 L2 Statement of the Problem ......... ~ . ~ 2 L3 Objectives of the Study 2 1.4 Significancy of the Study ~ 3

1.5 Research Hypothesis ~ 3 1.6 Research Questions ................_.~...... 3

CHAPTER 2 0 000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000 5

LITERATURE REVIE~I00000000000000000000t0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 5

2.0 Introduction 5 2.1 Meaning of epilepsy ~ 5 2.2 Causes of Epilepsy 6 2.2.1 Pre-natal stage 6 2.2.2 Perinatal Causes 6 2.2.3 Postnatal causes 6 2.4 Inclusion and the children with epilepsy ~ 9 2.4.1 Meaning of Inclusion 10

V

2.5 Kenya policy on inclusion 10 2.6 Meaning of Attitude 15 2.6.1 Component of Attitude 16 2~6.2 Teachers attitude towards person /learners with epilepsy ~ 18

2~8 Implication of Epilepsy on Learning (Education) .~...... 20 2.9 Conclusion 22

CHAPTER 3 a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a ama a a a a a a a a a am a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 23

METHODOLOGY aaaaaaaaaaaaa,aaaaaaa,aaa,aaaaaaa.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam.a.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,aaaaana 23

3.0 Introduction . ,..,,.... . . a. a.,, a...... 23 3.1 Research Design 23 3.2 Geographical ScopeS ~ 23 3.3 Target Population ...,......,.,,,,..,,,,..,.. 24 3a3.1 Sample Size 24 3.3.2 Sampling Techniques ~ 24 3.4 Data Collection ~ a. a,,,,,,,...a.,,,..m.~......,a,.aa.m,mmm...,aaaa,a...a....am..m....aa,.. 24 3.4.1 Instrumentation ,,,a.,..........,.,.a...,,..,,.am.,.....,a..a,a.,,.m.,,,,,,,a.,........,,..m,..,,,.,,,,,,..,. 25 3,5 Data Analysis 25

CHA~ER 4 26

PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATAaaaaaaaaaaaaoaaaaamaaaa 26

4.0 Introduction 26 4.1 Background characteristics of respondents 26 4.2 Personal Information 26 4.2.1 Conclusion 29 4.3 Teachers Knowledge on Epilepsy and Understanding 29 4.3.1 Causes of epilepsy 30 4.3.2 First Aid on the person experiencing seizure 31

4.3.3 Conclusion 32 4.4 Teachers’ Attitude towards the learners with epilepsy ~ 32

vi

4~4~1 Knowledge on Inclusion 33 4~5 Possible Recommendations 34

CHAPTER 5 37

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION ~aoBoo~nonnaaaoaoaouaaoooonouoøacaoaunnoaaaauannnn 37

5~O Introduction 37 5~1 Summary of findings 37 5~1~1 Knowledge and understanding of epilepsy 37 5~L2 Knowledge and Understanding of the Concept Inclusion and Inclusive Education3g 5~1~3 Factors to Consider Before Including Learners with Epilepsy into Regular Schools

39

5~2 Recommendations 41

53 Areas for Further study 42

REFERENCES 43

APPENDICES 44 Appendix I: Questionnaire

 Introduction

Epilepsy is a disease which has been there since time immemorial. However, in the third

world countries especially in Africa, not much research work has been done as are as

epilepsy is concerned. Ro a very long time there has been very little literature on

epilepsy. Children suffering from epilepsy have either been taken to special units,

integrated or so o the have been neglected or left to suffer. In Africa, especially Kenya,

epilepsy has been most profoundly associated with devils, witchcraft or curses from the

ancestors.Following the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE), there has been a lot o

advocacy or those with hearing impairments, physically challenged, visually impaired

and those with mental retardation~ However, the persons with epilepsy have not had

enough advocates. Therefore there are very minimal campaigns to sensitize the society

about them.