The Challenges Facing Pupils with Partial Hearing Loss in Inclusive Primary Schools in Tanzania: A Case of Uvinza District

Jenitha Paschal and Mashauri Mjema
University of Arusha, Tanzania
Email: mwelindejane@gmail.com

Abstract: This study investigated the challenges facing pupils with partial hearing loss in accessing education services in inclusive primary schools in Tanzania, using the case of Uvinza District. Specifically, this study sought to determine teachers’ perceptions towards learners with partial hearing loss in inclusive primary schools in Uvinza District and to identify challenges encountered by learners with partial hearing loss in inclusive primary schools in Uvinza District. The study employed a descriptive case study design, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews with fifteenteachers from inclusive primary schools who were judgmentally sampled. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that there is a variation in hearing loss awareness among the teachers, and some teachers were not confident in their ability to teach pupils with partial hearing loss. However, some teachers have positive attitudes toward pupils with partial hearing loss. Pupils with partial hearing loss are faced with communication challenges as their teachers and fellow pupils are not well equipped with special communication skills. Also, the pupils with partial hearing loss were reported to face academic challenges as they often had difficulty following group discussions and participating in classroom activities, and finally, the pupils with partial hearing loss are facing social-emotional challenges as they are being bullied and are often stigmatized and discriminated. The study recommends that; teachers need to be trained on how to teach pupils with partial hearing loss. Also, teachers and other pupils with no partial hearing loss should be close to the pupils who are suffering from partial hearing loss. This will increase the confidence of the pupils with partial hearing loss and hence their participation in class activities and other academic activities will rise and so will their academic performance.