About the importance of vision screening by teachers in schools: A study from Tanzania

Abstract

Intact visual functions are necessary for children to reach their academic potential. In the absence of vision screening, children may have unnoticed vision disturbances and academic challenges may be attributed to other problems, such as learning or cognitive disabilities. Visual problems are detrimental to educational achievement if they are not recognised. This has lifelong consequences for the individual child but also for the wider society as educational and economic advances are stifled. Few teachers are aware how vision influences reading and learning. Tanzanian teachers went through a CPD-course to learn about vision sensory qualities and ocular motor functions and were trained in vision testing. Building on theory of vision qualities and viewing conditions in class, the teachers practised vision functions assessment. Under the supervision of vision scientists, pupils in standard 5 ( n = 104) were tested with standardised methods. The data shows that there is a clear connection between the different sensory and ocular motor skills and that problems in one vision area influence other vision areas. Nearly 50% of the pupils had disturbances in one or more of the vision functions tested. In addition, the light conditions were challenging. When teachers learn about vision qualities and their impact on reading and learning, they understand why some pupils have reading problems, reduced motivation, disturbed self-esteem and problems with concentration. With these insights, more pupils can be helped to reach their potential.

Vision-related tasks in children with visual impairment: a multi-method study

“…Visual impairment has been shown to have a negative impact on children's learning and daily activities, according to multiple studies. For instance, one study revealed that teachers can gain insights into students' reading difficulties, lack of motivation, low self-esteem, and difficulty concentrating by understanding the visual attributes and their impact on learning (Wilhelmsen and Felder, 2022). Other studies have indicated that children with visual impairment may face challenges in developing spatial abilities, including auditory and proprioceptive spatial localization, haptic orientation discrimination, and reach on sound (Cappagli et al, 2017(Cappagli et al, , 2019.…”

“…However, a survey conducted in Ethiopia revealed that teachers were reluctant to care for disabled children ( Dagnew, 2013 ). Vision screening by teachers in schools is also important to ensure that children with visual impairments receive the necessary support to achieve their academic potential ( Wilhelmsen and Felder, 2022 ).…”

Extensiveness of Securing Education for Visually Challenged Pupils Project on Improving Pedagogical Skills among Teachers for Visual Learning in Classrooms at Moivaro and Arusha Primary Schools, Tanzania

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IntroductionVision senses play an important role in day-to-day life activities. Children with good visuals have been performing well in reading and learning (Wilhelmsen & Felder, 2022). Indeed, visual learning becomes crucial in education in various aspects of reading, writing notes, visualizing pictures, observation, and doing classroom exercises during the instruction process to understand teachers' verbal and non-verbal activities and all other learning inside and outside the classroom.

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