Abstract:
The aim of the study was to examine the practices and challenges towards the integration of
students with hearing impairment into regular primary schools and Jig- jiga city. Descriptive
case study design with qualitative research approach was employed. The researcher used
interview, observation and focus group discussion. The respondents were selected by using
availability and purposive sampling techniques. In this design interviews were made with the
total of 31 participants including 5 students with hearing impairment, 12 hearing students, 10
teachers, 2 special needs teachers and 2 principals. Focus group discussion was held with 5
students with hearing impairment. The data obtained were analyzed through qualitative
description. Findings indicated the benefits that integration could contribute to the students with
hearing impairment appeared to be more and social benefits rather than the academic benefits.
Regular class students who supported the integration and hearing impairment students believed
that integration would enable students with hearing impairment to develop better relationship
with hearing students, avoid feeling and loneliness, gain assistance from hearing students in
academic activities, improve their language through interaction with hearing students, develop
self-confidence and to improve their academic performance. The findings showed these students
also facing challenges after they integrated into regular classes, these challenges occurred due
to lack of knowledge and low practices of the regular class teachers and their peers, lack of
motivation of teachers to teach children with hearing impairment, lack of resources and
unavailability of resource room, and other factors tackling the growth of integrative education
the school. Therefore, the researcher recommended that the teachers teaching children with
hearing impairment should be given frequent workshops and seminars to keep abreast with the
current trends of the education of learners with hearing impairment. They should also attend
short courses in sign language in order for them to be more proficient.
