Strategies For Enhancing Performance In Mathematics For Learners With Hearing Impairment In Primary Schools. A Case Of Makongo School For The Deaf Makueni County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The primary purpose of the study was to establish strategies of enhancing of Mathematics performance among class 5- 8 learners with hearing impairment in Makongo School for the Deaf in Makueni County. A case study design was employed. The target population comprised of the 9 teachers and all the 28 learners with hearing impairment from class 1-8 making a total of 37 respondents. The researcher purposively sampled Mathematics teachers and classes 5-8 learners who were mature enough to be interviewed to give the needed information. Two research instruments namely: Questionnaire and interview schedule were constructed to collect data from Mathematics teachers and learners with hearing impairment respectively. Data collected was analyzed using both Quantitative and Qualitative techniques using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to get descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequencies and tabulations. The study found out that gestures were used by teachers in teaching Mathematics to class 5-8 learners with hearing impairment instead of using multiple methods which are core to improving learners’ holistic understanding of Mathematical concepts and eventually enhancing their performance in the subject. It was also found that most of the Mathematics teachers had difficulties in translating Mathematics into sign language despite their qualification in Special Needs Education. Similarly, learners with hearing impairment found it difficult to understand Mathematical sign language due to limited Mathematical vocabulary. The study recommends that teaching methods should be interesting to stimulate learners’ interest in Mathematics and there should also be organized regular in-service trainings for Mathematics teachers for class 5-8 learners with Hearing Impairment. It also recommends measures to increase teacher’s motivation as well as undertaking proper follow-ups on teaching methods and resources.