Awareness about Learning Disability among the Primary School Teachers in Chandigarh

Abstract

Today's children are tomorrow's responsible citizens of the world. This observation stands corrected where approximately thirty five to forty percent of total world's population are youth. In India, about sixty five percent comprises youth. The future of our country depends on these young people. Research has shown that one amongst ten children and adolescents experience medical problems, below average intelligence, specific learning disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, emotional problems, poor socio-cultural home environment and psychiatric disorders. Reading and learning are the two things that determine the success of a child during his/her school years. Children have been experiencing problems associated with learning disorders in academic and non-academic areas, which are ignored in the crowded classrooms. Lack of awareness about ‘learning disorders’ both amongst the parents and the teachers, is one of the reasons for not identifying great talent and potential in school children. Largely teachers are lacking in awareness, appropriate training and experience to identify a young child who is at-risk. The present study is an effort to explore the awareness level of the primary school teachers working in private and government schools of Chandigarh.