Abstract:

This study investigated barriers to special needs education policy in Nigeria. A survey of 175 participants from a wide range of stakeholders such as members of National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET), special education lecturers, special education teachers, desk officers in Ministry of Education, post graduate special education students and members of National Association of Exceptional Children (NAEC). Three null hypotheses were formulated to direct the study. A twenty (20) item questionnaire with a modified four point Likert scale and reliability coefficient of 0.76 was used to canvas opinions reflecting barriers to implementation of special needs education policy in Nigeria. The data collected were statistically analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis. The findings revealed that inadequate funding is statistically related to implementation of special needs education policy in Nigeria. Absence of enforceable legislation is traceable to poor implementation of special needs education policy in Nigeria, and absence of national commission for persons with disabilities is associated with poor implementation of special needs education policy in Nigeria. Recommendations were made among others that government, Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals with philanthropic mindset should redirect their interest or attention to providing the required funding that ensures cost-effective special needs education for children with disabilities.

Keywords:

Barriers, policy implementation, special education.