EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS WITH EPILEPSY FOCUSE ON ME'ENIT STUDENTS IN BALA PRIMARY SCHOOL. OF ME'ENIT GOLDIA WOREDA

Back ground of the study: Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures, which are temporary neurological abnormalities that result from an regulated electrical discharge in the brain. (Shorvon, Guerrini and Andermann, 2011). In other case epilepsy is a disorder characterized by a long-term predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by neurobiological, cognitive, psychological and social manifestation. (Epilepsy Foundation. 2014 ) and epilepsy is likely the most common neurological condition encountered by school professionals including teachers. (Barrett and Sachs . 2006). Three particular characteristics of epilepsy that may disrupt a Child’s learning process include the seizure activity itself, cognitive deficits associated with the area of the brain affected by the seizures and side effects of anti- epileptic drugs.(Wodrich 2006). Some children may experience adverse effects in their scholastic performance. They may develop learning problems related to their seizures. Factors contributing to failure at school may be classified as seizure related effects, medication related problems psychosocial factors as well as developmental disorders (Elliott, 2005). Although overall intellectual ability in children with epilepsy is comparable to the normal childhood population, these children are at greater risk for learning problems and academic underachievement (Elliott, 2005). Children with epilepsy may experience significant challenges in the areas of attention and concentration, memory, organizational skills and academic achievement (Smith, Elliot, Lach 2002; Williams, 2002). Factors related to seizures and fatigue may contribute to transitory learning problems. These may include seizure and fatigue and confusion. In these cases, learning could be disturbed for minutes or hours (Elliot, 2005). According to Heward and Orlansky (2009), seizures can be a deterrent to the child’s progress as they can cause some learning disturbance.