CHALLENGES IN PRACTICING INCLUSIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION: THE CASE OF GHANA NATIONAL COLLEGE OF CAPE COAST

Every child has the right to education. This right gives them the opportunity to engage in any form of
learning irrespective of social status, physical appearance and any other condition or disability. Yet, students
with special needs are marginalized or excluded from physical education lessons. The intent of this study was
to find out challenges some public school physical education teachers face in involving students with special
needs in their classrooms. In this case study, 12 participants were interviewed and observed. Findings
showed that special need students are excluded from physical education lessons. Special need students felt it
was not safe to use the same equipment in physical education practical lessons with colleagues without
disabilities. Physical education teachers stated that the lack of professional knowledge in their academic
preparation has made it difficult to fully involve special need students in their practical lessons. In addition,
funds to purchase special equipment for special need students are a major challenge. These coupled with
large class size and unsafe school environment threatens the progress of inclusive physical education.