A Retrospective Audit (Paper A) and the Effects of Educational Intervention (Paper B) on Attitudes towards Inclusive Education in School teachers

  • Monisha Kanya Savarimuthu Harlem Hospital / Columbia University, New York, USA
  • Raviteja Innamuri Assistant Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Sherab Tsheringla Associate Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • A.V. Shonima Associate Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Priya Mary Mammen Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Merlin Alwinneshe Clinical Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Sushila Russell Clinical Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Jayanthi Kuppuraj Special Educator, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mental Health Center, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Intellectual disability, Inclusive education, Attitudes, Child, adolescent psychiatry, School teachers, South India

Abstract

Aim and Objectives: Although inclusive education of children with intellectual disability is currently an accepted practice, it is often challenged by negative attitude of schoolteachers. We undertook two surveillance studies aimed at Study A - identifying knowledge and teachers’ attitudes towards children with intellectual disability and practices of inclusive education in a semi-urban school of South India. Study B -Determining the effect of educational intervention towards attitudes on inclusive education.

Method: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice surveillance questionnaires (KAP and ATPD) were given to ninety-six consenting schoolteachers in Study A and twenty schoolteachers in Study B and analyzed.

Results: In Study A, the overall attitude mean indicated a favorable attitude towards the children with intellectual disability. The mean overall attitude score was 77.1 (SD: 9.58), with a normal distribution. Forty to fifty percent were aware of intellectual disability and attributed them to biological causes. Ninety-two percent agreed on the need for education and stepwise training for a child with an intellectual disability. In real-life practice, results of classroom management were inaccurate. In Study B, knowledge, attitudes and practices towards inclusive education improved with educational intervention with a positive change of 7.19% on the ATDP scale.

Conclusion: These findings suggest a generally positive attitude towards intellectual disability and inclusive education. Comprehensive training programs improve knowledge and attitudes towards inclusive education.

Published
2021-03-01
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How to Cite
Kanya Savarimuthu, M., Innamuri, R., Tsheringla, S., Shonima, A., Mary Mammen, P., Alwinneshe, M., Russell, S., & Kuppuraj, J. (2021). A Retrospective Audit (Paper A) and the Effects of Educational Intervention (Paper B) on Attitudes towards Inclusive Education in School teachers. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 9(2), 141-149. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v9i2.3577
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Articles