Teachers’ Perceptions of Inclusive Education: Basis on the Development of Inclusion Guide

Inclusive education provides all students with the most fitting learning environments and opportunities for them to best attain their potential.However, the situation of inclusion is different in higher education institutions. This study determined teachers’ perceptions of the University of Northern
Philippines (UNP) on inclusive education. A qualitative transcendental phenomenological approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 teachers from UNP who have experienced handling students with special needs.It found out that all participants did not undergo any seminars, training or workshops on inclusive education. As a result, most of them do not have an idea about inclusive education, have mixed feelings, and lack the skills in handling inclusive education classes. Problems of bullying, infrastructure, students learning, curriculum, class size, and limited resources were also identified. Participants agreed that seminars/training must be provided and widest dissemination of inclusive higher education is needed.

Keywords: Challenges, Inclusive higher education, Inclusion Guide