Fostering volunteerism among students with learning disabilities: The role of primary schools and challenges

Abstract

The significance of the study lies in its focus on promoting volunteerism among Students with Learning Disabilities (SLD). The study aimed to provide recommendations that help overcome the challenges faced by primary school role in promoting volunteering among SLD. The study used a mixed-method approach. Personal interviews were conducted with 20 parents of SLD, and a questionnaire was administered to 98 teachers of Learning Disabilities in primary schools in Al-Ahsa Governorate, Saudi Arabia. The study results are that the teacher's role held the highest importance in fostering volunteering among SLD in primary school, followed by the school administration role, and subsequently, the school curriculum, according to parents' Perceptions. There are significant challenges facing the role of elementary schools in promoting volunteer work among SLD, with the most important of these being personal, organizational, and then academic challenges, according to teachers' perspectives. The study does not identify significant differences in these challenges based on the teachers' perspectives, considering gender and years of experience.