The Influence of Recreational Resources on Retention of Pupils with Disabilities in Mainstreamed Primary Schools in Bomet County, Kenya.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the influence of recreational resources on retention of pupils with disabilities in mainstreamed primary schools in Bomet County, Kenya. This study is embedded in the Systems Theory (Bertalanffy, 1968). It adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 840 teachers. Yamane table (1967) was used to get a sample size of 278 teachers. The multi-stage sampling procedure was applied. Data was collected, coded and analysed. The findings of the study revealed that physical resources and instructional resources significantly influence retention of pupils with disabilities (β=0.192 and β =0.421, respectively). Similarly, provision of adequate trained teachers and recreational resources were seen to influence the retention of pupils significantly with disabilities in mainstreamed Primary Schools (β =0.253 and β =0.250, respectively). The study concludes that recreational resources significantly influence retention of pupils with disabilities in mainstreamed Primary Schools. Many schools did not provide recreational resources for PWDs. Play-toys for PWDs were not available. Besides, assistive technology, for example, amplified talking Braille for pupils with disabilities (PWDs) were also not available. The lack of recreational resource for learners with disabilities could affect retention of their in mainstreamed schools. The study recommends provision of recreational resources such as in-door and outdoor equipment, play kits and field markers.