Delivery of special education services in Nepal: A needs assessment.

Abstract

Since the establishment of a democratically elected multi-party government in 1990, the need for advancing a national educational program has been evident if Nepal is to rise above its present poverty status. This dissertation provides a description of the existing status, the needs, and future proposals concerning special education for exceptional students in Nepal. The purpose of this study was to conduct a needs assessment for the delivery of special education services in Nepal. Specifically, this study provides: (a) a national overview of the status of special education services in Nepal; (b) a description of the specific issues with which school administrators are faced in trying to serve exceptional children and youth, and (c) recommendations for the future. The review of the literature addresses the limited Nepalese data and information on: (a) prevalence of exceptional school-age population; (b) the legal status of special education; and (c) exceptional students being served. The major components of comprehensive special education programs were discussed including: (a) the purposes of special education; (b) the alternative kinds of special education services; and (c) the organization of special education services. The methodology for this study included a description of a conceptual model; unit of analysis; subjects selection; instrumentation, data collection methods; and data analysis procedures. The results described the current status and needs of special education services in all seventy five school districts of Nepal. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from district education officers. These data presented the responses of the district education officers regarding the: types and numbers of children with exceptionalities identified, served, and not served; the kinds of personnel and programs provided; operating procedures; barriers; and administrators' suggestions for improving services. The recommendations from this study included: information about strong and weak areas in existing services and needs to improve the special education services; a new model for the delivery of services; and suggestions for effecting further action. This study concluded with comments on the feasibility of implementing a national plan, with particular attention to the establishment of a nationwide delivery procedure for Nepalese children with special education needs.