ABSTRACT
The study investigated the challenges of special education services in Benin
Metropolis and its implications for effective delivery of special education services. To
achieve the purpose of the study, four research questions were raised and answered.
The study used a descriptive survey research method with a sample of 103
respondents randomly selected from 5 special schools in Benin Metropolis, Edo State. The
questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor and two experts from the Department
of Educational Evaluation and Counselling Psychology. To assess reliability, 20 copies
were administered to non-participating respondents, with Cronbach Alpha coefficients of
.831, .783, .860, and .844 for various challenges in special education, confirming the
instrument's reliability. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean and
standard deviation.
The findings from the study revealed that shortage of qualified special education
teachers constituted a significant challenge of special education services in Benin
Metropolis. It was found out that inadequate funding, shortage of qualified special
education teachers, lack of assistive technologies, inclusion and integration constituted
challenge of special education services in Benin Metropolis. The study recommended
among others that the state governments should allocate more financial resources
specifically for special education.
