REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) – Volume One Number Two
The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme in Nigeria was developed to implement Inclusive Education which makes it compulsory for every child of school age to be in school. Hence, the school population consists of varied collection of learners with different learning capabilities, needs, problems, styles and difficulties. Also among these children are those with special learning needs that include children with learning disabilities. Learning disabilities is a special need category of a heterogeneous group consisting of students who may have reading, spelling, writing, or listening difficulties while others may have arithmetic, reasoning or some forms of perceptual problems.Professionals in the field of learning disabilities believe that three criteria must be identified before a student is classified as one with learning disabilities. These criteria include: When there is a discrepancy between the student’s potential and actual achievement, when there is need to exclude the student from his peers for personalised instruction and when there is need for special education services. Academic, behavioural and social characteristics of these students are highlighted alongside the different specific learning disabilities and some probable causes of learning disabilities. Empirical studies reviewed revealed the prevalence of a high population of children with learning disabilities: boys and girls, primary and secondary schools children and children in urban and rural areas in Nigeria. Teaching strategies and classroom management skills were explained to help teachers teach students with learning disabilities effectively. Recommendations were made which include amomgst others; that early diagnosis, intervention and education on the various types of learning disabilities should be implemented during admission into primary and secondary schools in Nigeria to help achieved the aims of inclusive education.
Keywords: learning, disabilities, management, children, inclusive education