Views of Stakeholders on Career Guidance Services Provided to Pupils with Hearing Impairment at Nsonta Secondary School in Kasama District, Zambia

Abstract

The study sought to establish views of stakeholders on career guidance services provided to pupils with hearing impairment at Nsonta Secondary school in Kasama district of Zambia. The study was guided by the following study objectives: to explore views of stakeholders on how career guidance was being provided to pupils with hearing impairment and to describe teachers’ ability to communicate in sign language during career guidance activities at Nsonta secondary school. The study was qualitative in nature and used a case study design. Interview guides were used on a sample of 25 pupils with hearing impairment, two career guidance teachers and six subject teachers. The sample was selected using purposive sampling techniques while analysis of data was done thematically. The study revealed that: career guidance services were mostly provided through one on one, in groups and industrial education visits by the career guidance teachers and the subject teachers. It was also revealed that the career guidance teachers dealing with pupils were knowledgeable in sign language, and other three of the subject teachers were not. The study recommended that, teachers needed adequate knowledge and skills in sign language through Continuing Professional Development (CPDs) programs to communicate well with pupils with hearing impairment.