PERCEPTION OF PASTORALISTS TOWARDS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:THE CASE OF SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF DASENECH WOREDA, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of pastoralists towards students with disabilities in selected primary schoolsof Dasenechworeda of SouhOmo Zone. To achieve this purpose ethnographical type of research design with qualitative methods was employed. The study was based on data generated from four sampled schools, namely; Kapusia, Ocholoch, Nebremus and Shera. The sources of data for the study were 30 in number; 4 school principals, 4 teachers, 4 Parent teacher association members, 10 students with disabilities, 6 pastoral parents of students with disabilities and 2 education experts. The technique used for identifying sample respondents and schools were purposive sampling. The instruments used for data collection were semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and observation. The data obtained from these instruments was analyzed qualitatively. The findings revealed that, pastoral parents expressed different reactions as a result of having children with disabilities. Their negative perception towards the causes of disability develop negative attitude towards person with disabilities. The beliefs held by parents about the causes of disabilities vary from real cause to sin, evil eye, curse, misdeed in previous life by parents violation of cultural rules, cultural elders’ imprecation (Tregarm and Fergare), and misfortune. Some parents believed that children with disabilities have less learning potential, unable to accomplish household tasks, a sick person, helpless, dependent, beggar, burden to parents, marginalized, and unable to play and work like any other children. In order to alleviate the encountered problems regarding negative perception, the concernedneighborhood school and woreda agencies should arrange practical and continuous awareness rising session on the real cause of disability and overall personality of person with disability.