Structural quality factors in the provision of education to pupils with hearing impairments: a case of selected special schools/units in north western province of Zambia

The study sought to examine factors affecting provision of quality education to learners with Hearing Impairments at basic school level with a particular focus on the teaching methods being applied by teachers and availability of appropriate teaching and learning materials. It is our assumption that provision of quality education to learners with Hearing Impaired can only be attained through the use of appropriate teaching methods and availability of teaching and learning materials. The target population comprised learners with Hearing Impairment, specialist teachers, school administrators and parents selected using random and purpose sampling procedures. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire, interviews and classroom observations. The study found that most of the schools are not applying appropriate teaching methods such as visual and tactile teaching methods but rather they use ordinary teaching methods which may not be effective for learners with Hearing Impairment. The study further revealed that special schools and special units do not have adequate teaching and learning materials. The study concluded that these school factors have the potential to affect the quality of education being offered to learners with Hearing Impairments.