Factors influencing enrolment rate of students with visual impairment in the integrated secondary schools in Tanzania

The study sought to explore the factors influencing the low enrolment rate of students with visual impairment in integrated secondary schools in Tanzania. Objectives of the study were; exploring parents/guardians' attitudes towards educating children with VI; examining parents'/guardians' socio-economic status and its influence on enrolment; assessing the attitudes of students' with VI towards secondary education; assessing the availability of special equipment and text materials for student with VI in integrated secondary schools; and assessing the availability of specialist teachers.

The study was carried out in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Iringa regions; involving sixty seven (67) respondents. The study is largely qualitative research and employed explorative methods to gather descriptive data. Semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, checklists and documentary review were data integrated secondary schools is adversely affected by lack of school necessities; shortage of special equipment (like Perkins braillers and typewriters) lack of brailled and enlarged reading and wriLing materials; and shortage of specialist teachers. On the basis of the findings, it can be concluded that parents'/guardians' socio-economic status; shortage of special equipment and text materials for students with Vl; and shortage of specialist teachers negatively influence the enrolment of students with VI in integrated secondary schools.