Education of mentally handicapped children

ABSTRAKT Education of Mentally Handicapped Children The bachelor thesis deals with the condition of mental retardation and with education of children affected by this condition. The theoretical part deals in detail with the condition of mental retardation, its levels, causes, forms of prevention and diagnosis methodology. The thesis also deals with education of children and young people diagnosed as mentally handicapped. Hence, special nursery schools earmarked for such children are described as well as preparatory grades of special primary schools, special primary schools themselves, the basic practical training schools, one-year practical training schools, two-year practical training schools and some secondary level apprentice schools - which can be attended by mentally handicapped students. Description is also presented of lifetime education; such as specialised courses, evening classes and so called activation centres whose establishment is being envisaged. The thesis also deals with education consultancy establishments focussed on mentally handicapped children and young people; such as pedagogy and psychology consultancy centres, special pedagogy centres, educational care centres and the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology Consultancy. The final part of the theoretical part deals with the theory of education of the mentally handicapped people, where didactic principles are described as well as didactic methodologies, forms of teaching and teaching aids necessary for education of such person. I gave a description of development of individual educational programmes also, without which integration of such children would not be possible in many instances. The topic of the practical part of the bachelor thesis is qualitative research carried out at a basic practical training /special basic/practical training school in Most (hereinafter ``Special Comprehensive School (in the town of Most){\crqq}). The aim was to map in a complex manner the special pedagogical care of mentally handicapped pupils as well as description of the system, methodology and approach to education of such pupils. The following methodologies and techniques were used for collection of data: observation with involvement of the observer, questionnaire-based methodology, semi-controlled interviews with the parents of the pupils, casuistry with 8-pupil sample and secondary data analysis. The hypotheses that can be derived on the basis of the outcome of the collection of the data are as follows: H1: The school teaching programmes employed at the basic practical training schools comply with the framework educational programme for the basic education - with the addenda aimed at slightly mentally handicapped pupils." H2: "The school educational programmes developed by practical training schools include methodology and forms of special pedagogical care." H3: "The best part of the teachers are not satisfied with the equipment of the schools with relevant materials