Perception of caregivers on the attitude of parents towards the education of persons with disability in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the perception of caregivers on the attitude of parents towards the education of persons with disability in Kwara State, Nigeria. The population comprised all caregivers of persons with disability in Ilorin Metropolis. A two-stage sampling method was also used in this study. Data were collected using a researcherdesigned instrument tagged “Attitude Towards Education of Persons with Disability Questionnaire (ATEPDQ)’’. The tool has sections A and B. Section A of the instrument elicited information on the respondents’ demographic data while section B contained items on parents’ attitudes towards the education of persons with disability. A reliability coefficient of 0.72 was obtained, which shows that the instrument was reliable for the study. Most respondents perceived that “educating persons with disability is a waste of time” (with a mean score of 3.06). Also, the findings of the study revealed that gender, school type, religion, and years of working experience did not significantly influence parents’ attitudes towards the education of persons with disability as perceived by caregivers in Ilorin metropolis. Based on the findings of the study, it was therefore recommended that the government should provide access to free education for persons with disability. This is expected to encourage parents to send their wards with disabilities to school. This, in turn, will enhance their skills and talents for employability.