Browsing by Subject "education in Tanzania"

In Tanzania, most of the children with disabilities are left outside the educational system. However, there have been recent efforts made towards inclusive education on an administrative level. Despite different strategies and commitments to international goals inclusive education is still not strongly affecting the actual school world and teaching in Tanzania. The purpose of this study was to examine Tanzanian future teacher educators’ perspectives on inclusive education. The aim was to explore how the concept of inclusive education is understood and how the future teacher educators see the position of inclusive education in Tanzanian educational system. In addition, the focus was on the barriers and possibilities of inclusive education the future teacher educators recognize in both Tanzanian educational system and society. The approach to the qualitative study was inductive. The data was collected using semi-structured theme interviews. Five last years’ students in the University of Dar es Salaam were interviewed. The data was analyzed using the method of content analysis. The results of the study showed that the perceptions on inclusive education were variable by definition as well as had elements of segregation. Some of the interviewees referred to inclusion and integration as synonymes. In addition, inclusive education was seen to be suitable to certain groups of learners only. The view of whom it was suitable for varied among the interviewees. Interviewees reported both attitudinal and structural barriers towards inclusive education in Tanzania. These barriers were recognized on both societal and governmental level. Particularly the lack of inclusive curriculum was seen as a barrier to inclusive education from the teachers’ perspective. However, inclusive education was seen as a concept with positive effects on both individual and societal level. It was also seen as a way to change the existing structures sustaining segregation.