Teachers and learners’ Attitudes towards the Teaching and Learning of Vocational Subjects: A Focus on Home Economics and Expressive Arts at ST Mzee School for the Deaf in Solwezi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of teachers and learners with hearing impairment in teaching and learning of home economics and expressive arts as vocational subjects of 2013 revised curriculum at ST Mzee (Pseudonym) Special School for learners with hearing impairment. A qualitative case study design was employed in this study. The school and participants were purposively selected since the aim of the study was to examine whether or not vocational subjects were positively or negatively perceived. Four teachers and eight learners with hearing impairment (Deaf) were involved in the study. Focus Group discussion method was used to collect data from learners and the teachers were interviewed. Data was analysed thematically by use of the research questions and emerging themes. The study established positive attitudes towards the teaching of vocational subjects by both teachers and learners. Learners tended to enjoy practical subjects more than theory oriented subjects and the theory component of the vocational subjects. However, learners reported that they did not have a wider choice of the vocational subjects to take because the school only offered two vocational subjects (Home economics and Expressive arts) and boys were compelled to take Expressive Arts while girls took Home economics. Teaching and learning was compounded with challenges of lack of materials for practicals as reported by both teachers and learners. Teachers further reported lack of adequate room for practical activities in expressive arts. Inadequate sign language vocabulary also hindered effective teaching of the theory component of the two practical subjects that were taught at the school. Institutions must strengthen the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) meetings to provide strategies for meeting the needs of learners with hearing impairments