Provision of career guidance services to students with learning disabilities in secondary schools in uganda the case of hoima city

Abstract

The study examined the career guidance services provided to students with learning disabilities in secondary schools in Hoima City. The study objectives included the following: to explore the career guidance services offered, examine how the services are offered and analyze the challenges teachers experience in offering the services to students with learning disabilities. The study was conducted using a case study design and qualitative methodology. Head teachers, educators, and students with disabilities took part in the study. The aforementioned respondents were interviewed using semi-structured interview guides in order to collect data. The study findings showed that career guidance services are provided to students with learning disabilities although it is inadequate. These services include: educational guidance, provision of remedial support, career guidance and counseling and instilling discipline to the students. The challenges experienced in provision of career guidance services include: inadequate materials, inadequate knowledge and skills of teachers, lack of interest of teachers in career guidance services, lack of enough teachers to be assigned career guidance service roles, lack of parental involvement and support, low self-esteem of students, indiscipline among the students with learning disabilities, negative attitude from parents, the absence of strong government policy on recruitment of many teachers mainly to provide career guidance, the rigidity of the education curriculum and lack of enough funds designated for career guidance services. The study recommends that teacher training, funding, teacher recruitment, motivation of teachers, parental involvement, integration of career guidance in curriculum, sensitization of parents and more policy formulation on career guidance service provision should be improved.