Strategies of Promoting Positive Attitude towards Learners with Hearing Impairment by Regular Primary Schools in Kenya (A Case study for Kakamega County)

Abstract

Information from nine District Educational Assessment and Resource Centers (2010) in Kakamega County indicates that the number of learners with Hearing Impairment (HI) in regular primary schools increased since the inception of Free Primary Education, (FPE). For example in 2003 were 51 learners with HI, 2004 (65), 2005 (73), 2006 (90), 2007 (102), 2008 (133), 2009 (161), and 206 learners with HI in 2010. There were 121 learners with HI in class three and four. The schools faced a number of challenges among them; communication barrier, negative attitude towards learners with HI by hearing learners and teachers. The purpose of this study was to establish strategies of promoting positive attitude towards learners with hearing impairement by the regular schools with HI learners. Objectives of the study were to; find out strategies employed by schools to promote positive attitudes towards learners with HI and the extent to which the strategies are employed. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study population consisted of 121 learners with HI, 1440 hearing learners, 36 teachers and 18 head teachers. Simple random sampling was used to select 480 hearing learners while saturated sampling was used to select 109 learners with HI, 32 class teachers and 16 head teachers. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. A pilot study was conducted on ten percent of population to determine reliability of instruments. Face validity of the instruments was ascertained by experts from both Special Needs Education and Educational Psychology departments of Maseno University. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean were used to analyze quantitative data. Qualitative data was transcribed, put into various categories and reported in an ongoing process as themes and sub-themes emerged. Findings showed that most schools used strategies to promote Positive attitude towards learners with HI; these included: creation of awareness about HI; HI and hearing learners shared teaching-learning resources and experiences. In conclusion, key strategies used included: both hearing and HI learners shared teaching-learning resources, sensitization/awareness was created to general school community. Recommendations of the study are; positive attitude be promoted towards learners with HI through creation of awareness and sharing of teaching-learning resources and experiences.