Inclusion of students with special needs in practical physical education lessons at the Senior High School level in Tamale Metropolis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out how students with special needs are included in practical physical education lessons. Adding, it was to find out the attitudes towards students with special needs if they are included in practical physical education lessons in the Tamale Metropolis. A descriptive research design was used with a sample size of 100 participants made up of 85 students and 15 Physical Education Teachers. The purposive sampling technique was employed to sample the participants. Eye-balling technique was also used to identify some Senior High Schools that have some students with special needs, then stratified sampling technique was used to categories the participants into three levels. Data were collected through questionnaires, unstructured interview and observation. And descriptive statistics of percentage was used to analyze the information collected. It was then ascertained that these disabilities existed – learning disabilities, speech delay or disorders and emotional or behavioural disorders. Meanwhile, students with special needs attended both practical and theory physical education class. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made that Physical Education Teachers should modify physical education class to meet students’ developmental needs. Refresher courses such as seminar/workshop should be organized for Physical Education Teachers to keep abreast with time in adapted physical activities.