Challenges Facing Students with Special Needs in Public Secondary Schools in Musoma District, Tanzania

Irene Katikiro & Michaela Mhagama
Department of Education Foundations
St. Augustine University of Tanzania
*Corresponding author Email: michaelamhagama@gmail.com

Abstract: This study examined challenges facing students with special needs in public secondary schools in Musoma District. It specifically aimed at examining infrastructural challenges facing students with special needs in secondary schools. This study employed a mixed research approach and a convergent parallel research design. The sample size was 99 participants including 1 District Secondary Education, 2 heads of school, 30 teachers, 66 students who were obtained through probability and non-probability sampling. Data were collected through questionnaire and interview. The study revealed that although chairs, tables, classrooms, laboratories and libraries are available in most of secondary schools, they don’t satisfy the needs of the mass students with special needs. Hence, more components were highly required to ensure the effective learning process. The study recommended the use of strategies such as effective interaction, teacher training, close supervision, improvement of school environment, policy reforms as well as improvement of stakeholders’ participation for effective access to inclusive secondary school education.