Problems and Prospects of Special Education of Rural and Urban Mentally Retarded Persons in Rajshahi Division

Abstract

The researcher studied the problems and prospects of special education of rural and urban mentally retarded persons in Rajshahi division during 2001 - 2004. The study comprises primary survey of the life of the mentally retarded persons; measurement of attitude of the parents of the mentally retarded children, primary school teachers and social leaders towards special education of the mentally retarded children; and interviewing the concerned professionals and government officers. First of all the researcher visited the residence and Day Centers of about 500 mentally retarded persons. Then he purposively selected 300 mentally retarded persons. Out of these 300 persons 150 live in the urban areas and 150 in the rural areas. They were of different degrees of retardation, clinical types and socioeconomic backgrounds. The researcher asked Ten Questions to the parents of these mentally retarded persons. Secondly, he conducted a survey to measure the attitude of 918 persons of different districts in the north western part of Bangladesh. These persons were the parents of the mentally retarded children, primary school teachers and the social leaders. They were categorized as urban rural, male fem ale and respondents of different educational backgrounds. These respondents answered twenty questions, which reflect attitude towards special education of the mentally retarded children. Thirdly, he interviewed the concerned professionals and government officers. During interview sessions matters related to curriculum, teachers training, teaching materials, infra structure, budget, location of the special classes, transport and security of the mentally retarded children, policy programs, etc. were discussed. The major objective of the study was to investigate the problems and prospects of special education of the mentally retarded children living in the rural and urban areas of Rajshahi Division in Bangladesh. The specific objectives were: to investigate the attitude of the parents of the mentally retarded children, primary school teachers and the social leaders towards special education of the mentally retarded children; to survey the existing condition of the mentally retarded children and assess what type of special education is needed for them at present and in future; to assess the problems and prospects of inclusion of special education classes inside the government primary schools; to assess whether home based special education programs can also be implemented; to recommend a suitable curriculum of special education for the mentally retarded children; to suggest ways and means to develop awareness among the common people about the mentally retarded children and their special education programs; to identify all other issues related to the problems and prospects of special education of the mentally retarded children and recommend these to the government to announce a suitable special education policy in the country. Bangladesh have almost achieved food sufficiency and cloth sufficiency. Now the government is planning to uplift different social welfare programs including the services for the mentally retarded persons. Government is seriously planning to uplift special education programs for the disable children including the mentally retarded children. It will be wise to avoid the trials and errors done in the western countries with the mentally retarded children and to implement such special education programs which will suit the culture, customs, actual needs, and meet the existing resources of the government and other agencies. Therefore, the opinion of the parents, the teachers and the social leaders are of serious importance to the policy makers. And it is assumed that the findings of the study will help the government to plan and implement suitable special education programs for the mentally retarded children. On the basis of the survey, personal interview and observation, etc. the researcher wants to conclude the following: The parents, the social leaders and the primary school teachers possess very positive attitude towards special education of the mentally retarded children. Large majorities of the urban parents prefer segregated special education schools. Large majorities of the parents prefer integrated special education schools in the rural areas. Parents of the severely retarded children, multiple disable children prefer home based special education programs like Portage Programs. The respondents feel that before the introduction of the special education programs in the country, a national policy for the mentally retarded persons including clear policy programs of the government related to the health, education, employment, housing and social security of the mentally retarded persons has become essential. They also feel that the curriculum of the special education program must correspond to the actual needs of the disable children and their future rehabilitation in the mainstream of the society. Construction of necessary extra infrastructure and providing extra teachers on special education in the government primary schools throughout the country is essential before introduction of compulsory and inclusive special education program for the mentally retarded children in the country. The respondents believe that if the government or the local governments take the initiatives, funds will be provided by the parents, national and international agencies, and general people to meet the deficit budget. Considering the literature review, discussion with the respondents, concerned professionals, etc. the researcher strongly recommends the following before introduction of special education for the mentally retarded children. Appropriate care should be taken to develop the curriculum for the mentally retarded children of different levels of retardation and their other disabilities. Sufficient and effective teacher training programs are needed to develop really motivated special education teachers. Propaganda using the mass media related to mental retardation and their special education is essential before implementation of the special education program. Announcement of a national policy by the government is urgently needed for the mentally retarded persons before introducing the special education program. Concerned agencies must avoid the mistakes done in some developed countries which segregated the mentally retarded persons from the mainstream of the society.