Specific Learning Difficulties of Secondary School Students in Pakistan: A Survey based on Teachers’ Perceptions

Abstract

The presented research is conducted in the context of prevailing specific learning difficulties (SLD) of secondary grade students. The objective of this descriptive quantitative research was to investigate the rate of specific learning difficulties and their contributing factors. For evaluating the extent of SLD in secondary grade students and perceived factors that promote SLD, a data-collection instrument made up of three sections was deigned. The participants of this study were male and female teachers of secondary classes (n=800) in Punjab, the most populous province of Pakistan.  After obtaining results of descriptive analysis the findings of study were analyzed and discussed. The results allowed to conclude that extent of SLD in secondary grade students are moderate. Investigation results suggest that to support students with SLD, Pakistani schools should introduce Universal Learning Design.