PERCEPTIONS OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION. A CASE OF TWO URBAN HIGH SCHOOLS IN GWERU

PERCEPTIONS OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION. A CASE OF TWO URBAN HIGH SCHOOLS IN GWERU

MWASHITA MUSHIPE

MBWIRIRE JOHN

This study investigated the perceptions of parents of children living with disabilities regarding the efficacy of inclusive education in two urban high schools in Gweru, Zimbabwe. The research was conducted at two selected urban High Schools in Gweru, Zimbabwe. The schools used were Thornhill High School and Chaplin High School. The study was qualitative in nature. A target population of 154 people was used. A sample of 45 was used. Purposive sampling and snowball sampling techniques were used. Data were also collected from parents and teachers of children living with disabilities, key informants, including three representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and two officials from local NGOs working with children living with disability. Data were collected through focus group discussions and interviews. The findings revealed that children with disabilities experience significant social isolation and discrimination, which negatively affects their academic and social development. This, in turn, places a substantial psychological and nemotional burden on their parents. The study concludes with recommendations for community-based support, family-centred care and the provision of specialised school facilities and equipment to better support these children and their families.

The Zimbabwe Open University Journal of Applied Social Sciences

2026