Cross-Cultural Management Education of Special Schools in Nigeria

An Appraisal

Abstract

Special education is a discipline in the field of education which caters for the training of students with disabilities for them to benefit maximally from education.  For learning to be effective for this group of students there is need for proper school management. However, the field of special education is increasingly encountering a multicultural landscape, with students from diverse backgrounds entering special school programmes which can affect the management of special schools in Nigeria. This necessitates a reevaluation of management practices in special schools to ensure they are culturally responsive and effective. This research therefore, examines the extent cross-culture affect management of special schools in Nigeria and explores the benefits of incorporating cross-cultural perspectives into the management education of special schools. The mode of deriving information and arriving at meaningful conclusion is through primary source (observed experience), secondary source (journals, and books) and analysis of teachers’ response to administered questionnaire through simple percentage from teachers in special schools in Delta State, Nigeria, selected through cluster sampling. The research found out amongst others that multiculturalism in special education presents a complex challenge and traditional approaches to special education may not translate well across cultures, as there can be significant variations in disability perception, family involvement and communication styles in Nigeria; due to cultural and religious differences in Nigeria it is difficult to control students’ participation in morning devotion and enforce accepted mode of grooming in special schools in Nigeria; and differences in cultural beliefs and practices have negative effect on the behaviour of students which affect effective school management of special schools in Nigeria. Finally, the study amongst others recommended that special school administrators should be equipped with cross-cultural management skills to overcome cross-cultural challenges in special schools in Nigeria and enable students with disabilities learn under conducive environment and benefit maximally from education.