Overcoming Barriers: The Struggles of Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Needs

The purpose of this study is to assess the struggles of teachers in handling learners with special needs in Tuba District. The respondents were key stage 1 teachers in Tuba District. This study used descriptive research design which sought to describe analyze and interpret the data gathered on the barriers encountered by teachers in handling learners with special needs. The questionnaire was the main instrument used in gathering data needed in the study. The findings of the study were the following: the barriers encountered by the teachers in handling learners with special needs were moderately manifested; the barriers encountered by teachers in teaching learners with special needs were serious; and the remedial measures to further improve the teaching learning process were very applicable, Based on the findings, the following conclusions were made: Teachers encounter behavioral and emotional regulation issues, specifically non-compliance, tantrums and repetitive behaviors of learners with special needs; Teachers do not have special education units, seminars on special needs education and with insufficient technical assistance from higher ups; and Teachers recognized the different strategies as highly effective in addressing learning barriers in promoting better education outcomes.