Adaptation of physical education and sport for learners with physical disabilities and chronic health impairments in Kenya : a case sudy of a special primary school for learners with physical disabilities and chronic health impairments

Abstract

Abstract

The objective of this study is to find out how teachers adapt physical education and sport to enhance participation and enjoyment of learners with physical disabilities and chronic health impairments in special primary schools in Kenya. One special primary school for learners with physical disabilities and chronic health impairments was used for the study. Physical education is a compulsory and examinable subject for all teacher trainees in primary teacher education in Kenya. All teachers undertaking special needs education from Kenya Institute of Special Education must take a course on adaptation of physical education for learners with special needs. Physical education must also be taught in all primary schools in Kenya although it is not examinable.

A qualitative case study approach was used and the methods of collecting data were through interviews, observation and documentation. The informants selected for interview were five teachers and six learners. Three of the teachers and their classes were observed in practical adapted physical education lessons. Documents and records related to physical activities in the school were examined to collect more information on the phenomena. Findings from the three methods were collaborated in order to give reliable and valid results in the study.

Findings from the study revealed that, the school was committed in provision of equipments and facilities for physical education and sport although they were not enough. Equipments for indoor games which are essential for learners with severe disabilities were lacking. Teachers adapted equipments and facilities, curriculum, activities, teaching methods, content, and organization as a whole by modification of some areas to the individual abilities of all the learners in the class. Teachers had good academic and professional training with long teaching experience and wide knowledge in physical education and sport. These may have been the main human variables in teachers that influenced adaptations to enhance participation and enjoyment of the learners.

Learners in the school participated in different physical activities through out the year from school level to national level competitions where they won many awards by being among the best participants. Teachers and learners were involved in improvisation of learning equipments using materials from the local environment for participation and enjoyment in physical education and sport in the school. Therefore, teachers knew how to adapt physical education and sport to enhance participation and enjoyment of learners in the school but they were not confident of themselves.

Learners were able to participate in physical education and sport with adaptations. There was need for in-service courses, seminars and workshops for teachers on adaptation of physical education and sport for the learners. There was also need for more and a variety of equipments and facilities for physical activities in the school in order to include all the learners in participation and enjoyment. There was also need for resource books on adaptation of physical education and sport from the Ministry of Education to guide teachers on the physical education curriculum.

These results were examined in relation to adaptation theory of physical activity on adapting the environment, and adapted physical education perspective approach on using abilities to enhance participation and enjoyment of the learners. The school involved in the study in only a representation of the population and so the findings may not be generalised in all schools but may reflect what is happening. Therefore, more research is needed in a larger population to determine how teachers adapt physical education and sport to enhance participation and enjoyment of learners with physical disabilities and chronic health impairments in special primary schools in Kenya.