ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to find out factors affecting the education of children with low vision in the Chuka division of Meru South district. The researcher was interested in finding out the views of different people towards the education of children with low vision in the area, therefore qualitative approach was employed to collect data. The researcher chose Head teachers, teachers, parents and visually impaired children as sample population because through them relevant and appropriate information would be obtained. The researcher also used interview and questionnaire as research instruments. Interview guides were used to collect data from parents and d children with low vision because it enabled the researcher to make clarifications on some views given and make possible adjustments depending on their moods and needs. Head teachers and teachers were given questionnaires because they were assumed literate enough to handle these instruments The findings pointed out that although the children and their parents have positive attitudes towards their education although the poor performance of low vision children was greatly attributed to poor parental participation and poor attitude of teachers and administration. There are a number of challenges affecting the education of low vision children in the division and hopefully beyond. These include: > Poor social economic status oftheir families > Poor academic performance > Labeling. > Poor/bad peer groupings ~ Ancient cultural beliefs > Lack of self motivation and zeal in learning > Poor teacher~pupil relationship