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FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE OF LEARNERS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN REGULAR PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN NAVAKHOLO WEST ZONE, KAKAMEGA COUNTY

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A PRESENTATION OF STUDY FINDINGS DURING THE STEMTASTIC ADVENTURES AFRICA CONFERENCE

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BY PAMELA WANGIA CURRICULUM SUPPORT OFFICER SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION KAKAMEGA SOUTH

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2025

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INTRODUCTION

The researcher intended to investigate

performance of learners with hearing impairment in regular primary

schools in Navakholo West Zone.

The researcher will analyze challenges facing learners with hearing impairment; suggest ways of overcoming the

challenges, give recommendations and the references.

factors

affecting

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CHALLENGES FACING LEARNERS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT

  • Negative attitude of teachers towards learner's with hearing impairment
  • Lack of education resources in regular primary

schools to teach this learners. 3.IInadequate funding in regular primary schools

  • Lack of enough teachers trained in special needs education.
  • Lack of support services to learners with hearing impairment.

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MAIN DISCUSSION

This section included the following items. Attitude of teachers towards hearing impaired learners, sources of funding for special

needs programmes, trained teachers in special needs education and support services for learners with hearing impairment.

1.ATTITUDE OF TEACHERS TOWARDS HI LEARNERS

HI always ask for repetition of words missed out. If the teacher has negative attitude he/she may rebuke the learner

HI learners need love and understating from parents and teachers. If they have negative attitude they may view it as waste of resources.

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  1. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR HI LEARNERS

Sign language interpreters, teachers (human resources) Educational resources, individual hearing aids, radio set aid, radio hearing aid, computer, spectacle hearing aid. NB: Advice on suitable school placement.

  • SOURCES OF FUNDING

Government grants, well wishers, governmental organizations, religious organizations harambee fund raising spirit from teachers, parents & community

4.TRAIN TEACHERS IN SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION.

Kenya institute of special education (KISE) conduct training of teachers and other personnel. Universities also offers courses of special needs.

5. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR HI LEARNERS

The Kenya society for deaf children (KSDC) supports their education. Advocacy for rights of deaf persons, sign language development, education and income generating activities to

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purchase aids. Medical help and referral to medical checkups on ear hygiene. Peers to support class routine

Recommendations

  • More allocation of funds by the government to special schools and units for learners with HI
  • Foster positive attitude of teachers towards learners with

hearing impairment by creating a higher job group to motivate them. The government to sponsor more workshops and seminars to teachers to sensitize them.

  • Government to allocate more educational resources for

learners with hearing impairment eg hearing aids, spectacle hearing aid.

  • The government to train more teachers in special needs, they may be sponsored by government through short courses,

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seminars, workshop and study leave

➢Support services for learners with hearing impairment eg medication, peer support -can be done as they assist in class routine eg sharing notes

➢Embrace inclusivity by having all teachers take a special needs education as a unit or a topic in TTC as it is done today

CONCLUSION

If the above is well analyzed and remedies put into effect,

learners with hearing impairment may perform better.

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Thank you and may God bless you .