Learning of musical instrument- playing among learners with visual impairment in selected primary schools in Kwania district, northern Uganda

Abstract

This study was about how Teaching facilitates learning of musical instrument- playing among learners with visual impairment in Kwania district, Northern Uganda. The study objectives were; to find out the methods that teachers use when teaching playing of musical instruments among LVIs in selected primary schools in Kwania district, to establish the challenges that teachers and learners face during the teaching of musical instrument-playing among LVIs in selected primary schools in Kwania district and suggest solutions to the challenges that teachers and learners face during the teaching of musical instrument-playing among LVIs in selected primary schools in Kwania district. A phenomenological research design was used to find out answers to the major problems. Interviews, focus group, and documentary review were used. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze data. The study found out that when LVIs are taught to play music instruments, they are empowered to express themselves, to interact with other people and to recognize that they are not totally incapacitated. However, the situation in Kwania, is not yet sufficiently supportive of the LVIs learning of music instrument playing, let alone the general education. The level of teacher skills in engaging LVIs in music instrument playing is still developing, and the facilities were inadequate, UPE schools and established integrated schools lacked most of the required adaptations to enable LVIs access the learning facilities and the general school environment. The study revealed that there is need to train more teachers in special needs education so that at least each regular school has one. Ministry of education and sports should increase on the release sent to Special and UPE schools specifically to cater for LVIs, and Teachers from regular UPE schools has to always tour the established integrated schools in order to learn some lessons concerning teaching methodology of LVIs.