PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN THE JAMAN NORTH DISTRICT OF GHANA

Abstract

This study explored parental involvement in the education of the child with disabilities (CWD) in Jaman North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study investigated parents’ expectations of the CWD in school, parents’ involvement in decision making process in the schools of CWD, parents’ contributions and collaborations between parents and teachers to enhance learning outcome of the CWD in schools. In conducting the research, a concurrent mixed method was used. The study involved interviewed 110 respondents consisting of teachers, parents of children with disabilities and children with disabilities. A mix of sampling methods was used. Purposive and simple random sampling methods were used in the selection of parents and teachers and the data was collected using a questionnaire through a survey approach. The result of the study showed that parents expected their CWD to acquire basic employable skills, able to live independent lives and contribute to national development. Secondly, the study also concluded that although there was high attendance of PTA meetings by parents particularly mothers, parents are not part of decision making of issues of their wards schools. The study also discovered that parents poorly contribute to learning outcomes of their children because they do not assist them with homework and also un-empowered. Lastly, the study also discovered that there is weak teacher-parents relationship. The study therefore recommended the targeting of parents with CWD to guide and assist them to ensure they have fair expectation of CWD and make them meaningful stakeholders in delivering quality education to children with disabilities.