Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy for the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Junior Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated “Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy for the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Junior Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria.” Three research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted descriptive research design. The population comprised all the 258 principals in the 258 junior secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Out of these schools, 220 are located in the rural areas while 38 are located in the urban areas. A sample of 161 principals (89 males and 72 females), which represents 62% of the population was drawn using the simple random sampling technique. A checklist and a self-structured questionnaire were instruments used to collect data for the study. The checklist was designed to ascertain the adequacy of educational resources in junior secondary schools in Rivers State. The questionnaire, which was entitled: “Implementation of Inclusive Education Policy Questionnaire (IIEPQ),”was used to elicit information on the variables, and was structured after the four-point modified Likert rating scale. The instruments were duly validated by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was tested using the Cronbach’s Alpha method to establish the internal consistency of the questionnaire items, and coefficients of 0.79 and 0.83 were obtained for the two clusters respectively. Frequency counts, percentages, mean scores and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while z-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed, among others, that the dearth and inadequacy of educational resources that can facilitate inclusive practices show that Rivers State is not yet on track to attaining the SDG 4, which centres on education for all (EFA). Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that Rivers State Government should double efforts in ensuring that true inclusion is practised in the junior secondary education system by ensuring that there is adequate human, material and financial resources that will enable the principals to effectively implement inclusive education.