Original Research
Attitudes of a Group of Primary School Teachers Towards The Educational Inclusion of Hearing-Impaired Learners in Regular Classrooms
South African Journal of Communication Disorders | Vol 45, No 1 | a717 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v45i1.717
| © 2020 Kerry Keith, Eleanor Ross
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 16 April 2020 | Published: 31 December 1998
Submitted: 16 April 2020 | Published: 31 December 1998
About the author(s)
Kerry Keith, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of the Witwatersrand, South AfricaEleanor Ross, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Full Text:
PDF (1MB)Abstract
Research has clearly demonstrated a link between the attitudes of regular education teachers and the success of inclusion of learners with special educational needs. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the attitudes of a group of junior primary school teachers from the Gauteng area towards the inclusion of hearing-impaired children into regular classes. A survey research design was employed which utilized a questionnaire as the research tool. Analysis of results indicated that the teachers surveyed were relatively positive in their attitudes towards inclusion. Greater exposure to disability in terms of training and experience was related to more positive attitudes. Similarly, more positive attitudes were related to greater perceived competence in teaching hearing-impaired pupils. All of the teachers surveyed felt that speech-language pathologists and audiologists (SLPs & As) should be involved in facilitating inclusion of hearing-impaired children. Many of the respondents expressed concern regarding their lack of training, knowledge and skills. The findings from the research project highlight the need for an adequate training and support system for teachers prior to the implementation of an inclusive educati9nal policy, and the potential role of SLPs & As in this regard.
Keywords
education; inclusion; hearing-impaired
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