Involvement of pupils with visual impairment in sports and physical activities: the case of Dar es Salaam

Physical activities and sport improves health related quality of life by enhancing psychological well being which, in turn contributes to human growth and social development. The study examined involvement of pupils with visual impairment in sports ad physical activities at Uhuru Mchanganyiko primary school in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The study used qualitative paradigm and employed case study design. It had a total of 28 respondents namely; pupils with visual impairments, care gives head teacher, head of department and physical education teachers, both for pupils with visual impairment. The sample also included TLB official. The study employed semi-structured interview documentary review, observation and focus group discussion for obtaining information from the sampled population. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicated that the school had no facilities and equipment for sport for visually impaired pupils, there were no sport programs designed for pupils with visual impairment, and there was only one teacher for coordinating sports and physical activities for visually impaired pupils. Nevertheless, it was connected that participating in sports and games had positive impact to pupils academic and social well-being. It was concluding that pupils with visual impairment at the Uhuru Mchanganyiko primary School were not involves in sports and physical activities. This was because in the school there were no adapted sports, facilities and equipment for pupils with visual impairment. Also the school had no adequate qualified physical education teachers. It was recommended that stakeholders of special education should mobilize fiscal and material resources for construction and purchasing equipment and facilities for sports and physical activities for pupils with visual impairment. Also, the Universities and teachers colleges should have strategic plans to recruit adapted physical education teachers. Lastly, the schools that enroll pupils with visual impairment should have tendency of organizing sports and games for their pupils using local resources.