Attitudes of Mainstream Students towards Students with Special Needs

Abstract

All students should have relevant quality of knowledge discipline, appropriate attitude and mind setting, civilised behaviour to advance themselves and enable them to contribute to harmony and progress of family, community, country and global. Therefore, attitude and perception on peer highly depend on social engagement particularly on students with special needs. This study aimed to identify positive and negative attitudes of mainstream students towards students with special needs. A survey study was conducted and study sample consisted of 100 mainstream students, namely Forms 1, 2 and 4. Data collection was conducted through questionnaire with 25 items using Likert scale measurement. The results found that positive and negative attitudes of mainstream students towards students with special needs were at moderate level. Similar to student perception. It was revealed that there was no significant relationship between attitude and perception of mainstream students towards students with special needs. This proved that mainstream student perception did not affect their attitude towards students with special needs. This study is essential to various parties as the main support for the implementation of inclusive programs which may affect the mindset of students, teachers, parents dan community towards students with special needs, thus strengthening the education system in Malaysia.