Inclusion of Children With Disabilities in Physical Education in Zimbabwean Primary Schools

Abstract

Since Zimbabwe adopted inclusion in 1994 in alignment with the world, the number of children with disabilities educated in regular schools has significantly increased. Teachers experience diverse challenges when including children with disabilities in physical education (PE) in regular classrooms. This qualitative study carried out individual interviews, document analysis and nonparticipant observations with 24 Zimbabwean primary school teachers to explore pedagogical practices for including children with disabilities in PE in regular classrooms. A comparative approach of organizing individual interviews, document analysis and observation data with continual adjustment was used throughout the analysis. Although participants had individual and institutional concerns, including inadequate preparation and resources, about the inclusion of children with disabilities in PE in regular classrooms, they had positive dispositions toward it. Knowing individual children, having positive social relationships with children, fostering positive social relationships among children, supporting collaborative structures and cultures, and utilizing adapted instruction facilitated the inclusion of children with disabilities in PE in regular classrooms. Individual and institutional capacity building, including comprehensive preservice and in-service teacher training and the passage and enforcement of specific policies and legislation on inclusion, could enhance the inclusion of children with disabilities in PE in regular classrooms. This study serves as a baseline for future studies on the subject.