Educational opportunities for students with hearing impairment at Karen Technical Training Institute for the deaf, Nairobi County

Abstract

This study was prompted by the recognition that the goal for Special Needs Education Policy frame work (2007) in Kenya is to address the issues of access, performance and retention opportunities for students with disabilities. Out of this concern, the study sought to investigate the opportunities for female and male students with hearing impairment in the technical training institute. The research locale was at Karen Technical Institute for the Deaf in Nairobi County. The Institution was established in 1990 by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the only technical training institute that offers diploma, certificate and artisan technical courses for students with hearing impairment in Kenya and other African countries. A case study research design was used in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the Principal, the Registrar of students, Heads of Departments and the students as respondents. Simple random sampling was done to select 50% of Lecturer from all the departments. This gave a total of 28% lecturers as study respondents. The study established that lac k of conducive environment and facilities for students with hearing impairment contributed to low enrolment of girls as compared to boys. The study also established that there is a need to discuss social, cultural and political issues in the classroom. This is because students with hearing impairment will have an opportunity to interact with other students while keeping in touch with the world around them. In addition to this, the study established that special education must continue to expand and provide education for all people with disabilities. Based on the findings and conclusion of the study, the study recommends that in order to enhance educational opportunities for students with HI the government should insist on parent education so as to ensure that they understand the concept of equality and equal educational opportunities for students with HI.