Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the educational opportunities and challenges faced by
female students with hearing impairment in an integrated classroom in Mewari junior primary
school. A qualitative research approach with a case study design and Purposive sampling
technique was used. Interview, focus group discussion and observation were used to gather data.
The participants of the study contained of female students with hearing impairment, special needs
educators, regular teachers, class monitors, and principals in Merawi primary school. The
population of the study contained: eight female students with hearing impairment, four regular
teachers, four class monitors, two special needs educators and two principals. The data obtained
were analyzed through thematic data analysis method. The research finding showed that
integration of hearing impaired female students in to the integrated classes, classmate supports in
sharing notes, and supported to do classwork in the classroom were the main educational
opportunities, awareness creation on integrated education, writing notes on the blackboard to
communicate with them, financial support for three female students with hearing impairment. On
the other hand, the main educational challenges were: some participants were not agree with the
integration of female students with hearing impairment and all students with hearing impairments
to integrated classroom, not using sign language in teaching subjects and absence of interpreter of
subject teachers’ lessons, these are educational challenges as a result of their impairment. The
challenges of female students with hearing impairment due to their gender were workload,
inferiority and peer pressure. Conclusion implies that even though there are some opportunities to
support hearing impaired female students in the school but still now, there is a serious problem
that restricts to use their full potential in the learning. In addition to the above findings, necessary
solutions and recommendations were included in the research in order to reduce the impact of
female student with hearing impairment. Under this, the government and school communities
should make all the possible efforts to improve and modify the existing physical facilities for all
learners.