Challenges Facing Special Needs Students in TVET Institutions in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

One of the goals of the Nigerian government is to provide high-quality, well-researched, and efficient skills development services that better suit the requirements of individuals and the economy. Thus, the country participates in special needs education, but the methods adopted do not align with current best practices around the world. Furthermore, there are currently no technology-driven special needs classrooms or laboratories in the nation, even in TVET institutions, which left special needs students in dire need of technical education. It is on the basis of the foregoing; this study examined the challenges facing Special Needs Students in TVET Institutions in Southwest Nigeria. Three objectives were stated to guide the study. The study was carried out in the Federal Polytechnics in Southwest, Nigeria. Survey research method was adopted while a structured questionnaire with a Likert rating scale was used as an instrument of data collection, three research questions were answered, and two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. A total number of 200 students with special needs were purposively selected as respondents for the study. Findings revealed that inadequate financial support, the transferring process, high cost of educational materials and equipment, Personal/family issues and lack of specialists and para-professionals. The study recommends that the government and stakeholders in education should invest more in Special education and also make financial support and aids available for Special needs students.