The Influence of Demographic Factors on Teachers’ Instructional Practices and Challenges in Including Students with Visual Impairment in Government Secondary Schools of Harari Region

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of demographic factors on instructional practices and challenges teachers face in teaching students with visual impairments in the government secondary schools of Harari regional state. A quantitative method with a survey design was employed. The sample consisted of 100 (with 95% response rate) participants selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using questionnaire in the form of Likert scale. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation, independent t-test and One-Way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that teachers’ level of qualification has implications to the instructional practices, namely their collaboration with other professionals, classroom supplies and equipment and teaching strategies. Teachers with training on inclusive or special needs education were found to use more specialized or individualized teaching strategies in the classroom for SVI than those who did not have training. Furthermore, years of teaching experience was found to influence teachers’ collaboration with other professionals. Teachers with bachelor’s degree and MA/MSc holders were found to face more challenges in adapting teaching strategies, materials and identifying the needs of SVI compared to teachers with diploma holders. The study concluded that the identified demographic factors were found to influence at least one of the teachers’ instructional practices in inclusion of SVI. The study concluded that teachers’ level of qualification has an influence on the challenges they face in teaching SVI in the government preparatory and secondary schools of Harari regional state.