Constraints to inclusion of students with hearing impairments for training at Kenya Technical Teachers College
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Date
2014-04-02
Authors
Kimathi, Susyline Gatakaa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
The education of learners with hearing impairments started in Kenya in 1958. To date they
lack access to middle level training after acquiring a crafts certificates course in the two
vocational institutions for the hearing impaired. With the global trend of inclusive
education, it is possible for regular training institutions in general and Kenya Technical
Teachers College in particular to offer further training for them. The purpose of the study
was to establish constraints to inclusion of students with hearing impairments for training
at Kenya TechnicaJ Teachers college and make suggestions for facilitation of more
persons with hearing impairments to train as technical teachers than it is presently. This
was done by examining various variables using descriptive survey design and a target
population of eight hundred and fifty students, one hundred and seventeen lecturers,
twelve heads of departments, one pJincipaEand three old students of Kenya Technical
Teachers' college with hearing impairments. Sampling techniques used to arrive at the
sample size were purposive sampling to select the principal and heads of departments,
stratified then random sampling to select students and teachers respondents and snowball
to select old students with hearing impairments _The sample size constituted eighty five
students (forty five males, fortyfema1es), twelve teachers (six males, six females), eleven
heads of departments. one principa4 and two. old students with hearing impairments. Data
were collected using questionnaires for students, lecturers and heads of department.
Interview guides for the principal and old students with hearing impairments and
observation checklists for lessons and physical facilities. A pilot study was conducted in
the same institution using one depattment that was exdud'ed from; the main study. The
purpose was to ensure validity and re!tabaity of the instruments in Which reliability of 0.8
was obtained. Being a descriptive survey, the objectives generated descriptive data which
was measured using dE7criptive statistics sum as frequencies and percentages. The
study revealed that the teaching learning resources were inadequate and most of them
unsuitable; no teacher was trained in speCial eeds Education or conversant with sign
language. There were no support services in the institution. The teaching - learning
strategies that were being used required adjustments to cater for students with hearing
impairments. There was 00 poticy on special ~ucation to stimulate implementation of
inclusive education. The results of the findings led to the conclusion that there were
constraints to inclusion of students will hearing impairments at Kenya Technical Teachers
college. In view of this the study recommends fn-setiVrcUitgnf teachers in special needs in
education and sign language, deployment of teachers who are trained in special Needs.
Provision of more suitable resources and support services and adaptation of the teaching
-learning strategies.
Description
Department of Special Needs Education, 81p. The HV 2916.5 .K5 2009
Keywords
Hearing impaired -Kenya-Nairobi-KTTC Cllege, Special education-Kenya-Nairobi-KTTC College