EVALUATION OF STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS PEERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSIN-MA, KATSINA STATE.

The researcher observed the attitudes of students towards their peers with special needs in the educational setting.. Therefore, the research investigated the attitudes and perceptions towards the students with special needs in Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State. Three research questions guided the study. The research made used of survey design. 20 respondents were randomly selected in the department of Administration and Planning under the Faculty of Education in Federal University Dutsin-ma Katsina State. Mean was used for analyzing the research questions. The findings revealed that the attitude and perception of students towards peers with special needs contribute to the performance of the special need. Positive attitudes will serve as encouragement and vice versa. Also, the findings revealed that most students haven’t interact with special needs student before coming to the university but the inclusion of special education in the curriculum has modified their perception towards students with special needs and helped to see the challenges they face and how these challenges can be solved. Based on this, it was recommended among students in of Administration and Planning in Federal University Dutsin-ma Katsina State and other places that there should be awareness about the uniqueness of these students, there should be more exposure of regular teachers to the nature and demands of special needs.