Title:
EFFECT OF TRAINED TEACHERS IN SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF THEIR STUDENTS WITH HEARING MPAIRMENTS AT KAREN TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

Authors:
Prof. Paul Maithya, Dr. Lilian Milimu and Imbwaga Nixon, Kenya

Abstract:
Professional training greatly influences the development of human resource capacities that in turn boost sustainable economic growth and development. Provision of quality education to educators has been given emphasis in Acts of parliaments across the world. This study determined the effect of trained teachers in Special Needs Education on the academic performance of the Hearing Impaired Learners at Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf. The study was supported by the Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura. Descriptive Survey Design was used to sample 30% of the targeted population. 15 teachers and 113 students from a population size of 61 teachers and 450 students were selected through. Stratified and Simple Random Sampling procedures. Two sets of questionnaires were used to collect data; one for the teachers and another one for the students. The questionnaires were validated and their reliability tested after piloting the study. Validity was achieved by discussing the items in the questionnaires with the supervisors. Reliability, on the other hand, was achieved by checking internal consistence using SpearmanBrown prophecy formula which yielded a coefficient of .87 way above the required threshold of .70. The results were presented through frequency tables and Multinomial Logistic Regression Coefficients. The researcher used the KNEC ranking system to categorize students into three levels of Good, Fair and Fail. This study established that a unit increase in teacher training in Special Needs Education increases the odds of students getting categorized as Good by 0.49 (49%). This was a huge positive association. The study recommended that teachers need to continuously undergo professional re-training to build their professional pedagogical content, knowledge, skills and attitudes that are needed to discharge their duties more effectively and professionally.