Are Teachers Adequately Prepared for Inclusive Classrooms in Cambodia? Knowledge and Experience for Inclusive Practices

Abstract

This study examined Cambodian teachers’ knowledge and experience related to inclusive education and investigated differences in their knowledge and experience based on schools that implemented and did not implement inclusive education programmes. A survey was administered to 1,008 regular teachers from 236 primary schools of all 25 provinces and cities in Cambodia. Among the selected schools, 50% implemented inclusive education, while the other 50% did not. A four-part questionnaire was employed for data collection. Data analysis encompassed descriptive statistics, the Chi-Square analysis, and the independent sample t-tests. The study revealed that teachers had limited experience and knowledge in implementing inclusive practices. Teachers from schools with inclusive education programmes exhibited significantly higher levels of experience in inclusive education training ( = 0.21, p < 0.001), teaching students with disabilities ( = 0.21, p < 0.001), and collaborative efforts ( = 0.23, p < 0.001) than those from schools without such programmes. They also demonstrated significantly greater knowledge concerning policies, inclusive education (t = -8.29, p < 0.001), and disability (t = -3.12, p < 0.001) than their counterparts. The study provides various implications for improved policies and teacher training programmes to enhance teachers’ knowledge and experience for inclusive practices in Cambodia.