THE ROLE OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILL AMONG SPECIAL NEED STUDENTS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study investigated the role of inclusive education on career development and 
employability skill among special needs students in Anambra State. The study adopted a 
descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 120 special needs 
students comprising those with Visual Impairment, Orthopedic impairment and those 
with learning difficulties. The study utilized a sample of 40 students. The sample size 
was obtained using purposive sampling techniques.  Two instruments titled “Role of 
Inclusive Education on Career Development among Special Needs Students 
Questionnaire (RIECDSNSQ) and Role of Inclusive Education on Employability Skill 
among Special Needs Students Questionnaire (RIEESSNSQ) were used for data 
collection. The instrument was validated by three experts in the department of 
Educational Foundations, faculty of Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The 
reliability of the instrument was obtained using Crombachs’ alpha method which yielded 
the coefficient value of 0.79 for RIECDSNSQ and 0.84 RIEESSNSQ respectively. 
Research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation while he null 
hypotheses were analysed using t-test. Results showed that inclusive education plays extensive role on the career development and employability skill of students with special 
needs. It was concluded that every student should be provided with supportive settings 
where they can study and feel appreciated in the wider society. The study recommended 
among others that the school administrators should put a sincere effort to create 
awareness and sensitize communities to address drivers of stigma existing among the 
students with special needs.