Special education versus inclusive education: examining concerns and attitudes of teaching professionals toward children with disabilities

Ambuj  Sharma; Anna  Dunay; Réka Luca  Dely

doi:10.23762/FSO_VOL6NO1_18_5

Published : 2018-03-14

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2018)

Special education versus inclusive education: examining concerns and attitudes of teaching professionals toward children with disabilities

Ambuj Sharma

Anna Dunay

Réka Luca Dely

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL6NO1_18_5

Abstract

This article explores the perceptions and experiences of head teachers, teachers and conductor teachers towards students with disabilities, in the five schools of Budapest (Hungary). The study relied on a qualitative methodology. Qualitative instruments, i.e. semi-structured interviews were used to examine the participants’ day to day experiences with students with disabilities, their contribution in the learning process and their viewpoints on different aspects of special, as well as inclusive education in the overall development of students with disabilities. Fourteen interviews (both in English and Hungarian) were conducted in one inclusive and four special schools. Two teachers with disabilities also participated in this study. Results show that participants value an inclusive approach in the overall development of students with disabilities, but display mixed attitudes towards the ‘full’ participation of pupils with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. However, the majority of participants believed that every child with a disability has different education needs. Therefore, the type and severity of disability, ideally, should be a deciding factor in selecting an educational approach. The results also discuss the impact of teachers’ and children’s factors on the attitudes of teachers towards the participation of children with disabilities in general classrooms. There are very few published research papers in English concerning special/inclusive education in Hungary and this was one of biggest challenges faced by the authors in gathering information for this article. This study ends with recommendations for further studies.

Keywords:

children with disabilities, gender, Hungary, inclusive education, special schools, special teachers

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Sharma, A. ., Dunay, A. ., & Dely, R. L. . (2018). Special education versus inclusive education: examining concerns and attitudes of teaching professionals toward children with disabilities. Forum Scientiae Oeconomia, 6(1), 83–101. https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL6NO1_18_5

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Ambuj Sharma

ambujrc@hotmail.com

Affiliation:

Szent Istvan University, Godollo, Hungary

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Ambuj Sharma was born in India and received his B.Sc Degree from B. A. M. University, Aurangabad, India. He obtained M.Sc. Degree (gold medallist) from Algappa University, India. He is currently a Ph.D student at Szent Istvan University, Hungary under the supervision of Dr. Anna Dunay. His research relates to social and professional integration of people with disabilities.

Anna Dunay

Dunay.Anna@gtk.szie.hu

Affiliation:

Szent Istvan University, Godollo, Hungary

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Anna Dunay is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences of Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary, in the Department of Business Economics and Management. She is a Visiting Professor at University of Silesia in katowice. She is the author and co-author of more than 150 refereed papers in scientific journals, books, and conference proceedings. She works regularly as chair and co-chair in scientific and organizing committees of international conferences in the Visegrad countries. Her research interest includes lifecycle of enterprises, entrepreneurship education, Corporate Social Responsibility in different sectors.

Réka Luca Dely

delyreka@nemadomfel.hu

Affiliation:

Nem Adom Fel Foundation, Budapest, Hungary

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Réka Luca Dely was born in Budapest, Hungary. She absolved her B.Sc degree in Social Pedagogy from Eszterházy károly College, Eger and finished her M.Sc in Social Work from Semmelweis University, Budapest. She had already worked with people with disabilities for more than 8 years at Never Give Up Foundation (Nem Adom Fel Alapítvány). She is currently the international coordinator at the same organization assisting with international travelling and learning opportunities for people with disabilities. Her research interest is related to entrepreneurship opportunities in catering sector for people with disabilities.