PSYCHOSOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES OF STUDENTS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS AT MIRAB BADAWACHO WOREDA HADIYA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the major psychosocial and educational challenges of students with hearing impairment in two selected primary schools of Mirab Badawacho Woreda Hadiya Zone, southern region. This study used sequential explanatory design and both quantitative and qualitative methods and 68 respondents have participated in this study. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used to select two schools for the study and to select key informants for questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The study involved data collection tool that utilized questionnaire, interviews and observation. Data collected from the field were coded and entered into the computer for analysis using SPSS version-20 for Windows. The study analyzed by quantitative and qualitative method and applied descriptive statistics like frequency, mean and standard deviation. Finding of this study in terms of psychosocial and educational challenges of students with hearing impairment have showed lack of self confidence and some of the challenges that students face in learning in inclusive setting are communication barriers, unsuitable teaching methods of teachers, isolation, rejection and not participating in group activities, are to name, but a few. The study concluded that, students with hearing impairment who have been observed lacked sign language interpreter, less social interaction with teachers and hearing peer’s, less participation in school activities like sports and other curricular activities in the study area. The study recommended that, the concerned bodies like principals, teachers and special needs professionals should create awareness programs for schools community to minimize psychosocial and educational challenges of students with hearing impairment in selected primary schools in Mirab Badawacho Woreda.