Learners with Special Needs: Problems faced by Students and Teachers at University Level

Abstract

Purpose: Every person in this world has the right to be educated and by every person means every single person, yes, the persons of special needs as well. About 15 percent of the world’s population has suffered various forms of disabilities such as visual and hearing impairment, physically handicapped, or mental retardation. The 1st purpose of this research was to find out the problems that a teacher faced while teaching a special learner at a higher education level. 2nd to find out the student’s perspective of studying in an inclusive setting at the university level. Design/Methodology/Approach: A phenomenological design was used and both teachers and their students took interviews. Qualitative theme analysis method was used in this study to analyze the teachers and students’ perceptions. Findings: The study’s findings provide an understanding of the experiences of teachers as well as perspectives regarding disabilities of learners in the regular classroom. They both recognized four zones that obstruct their capability to efficiently teach in a mixed ability classroom and the regular classroom. (a) Insufficient knowledge of teachers and lack of awareness about inclusion in the classroom. (b) Lack of training employed in inclusive or regular classrooms with differently-abled students; (c) Lack of examination to choose the most suitable aids which helpful for the teaching in the inclusive regular classroom. (d). Learning difficulty and psychological issues in the classroom. Implications/Originality/Value: From This research everyone will be benefited: students, as per their learning will be improved by it; educators as it will improve their teaching and efficiency in the classroom and parents, as their children will more likely to have a positive environment in the university. It will provide them an opportunity to learn from each other at the university level.