Teachers’ approaches for teaching reproductive health education to adolescents with hearing impairment at Ashanti school for the deaf Jamasi

Abstract

This study was a case study designed to find out the teachers’ approaches for teaching reproductive health education to adolescents with hearing impairments at Ashanti school for the deaf, Jamasi. Views were sampled through semi structured interviews for teachers on one -on- one basis and semi – structured interviews for students in focus groups. The teachers’ were observed in the classroom for twenty minutes three times each for two weeks. The students were also observed in the classroom, dining hall, break time, sports and games and private studies periods for two weeks. A qualitative approach was used in the analysis and interpretation of interview data and where necessary, verbatim expressions of the respondents were used. It was evident from the study that, reproductive health education has positive impact in the life of adolescents with hearing impairment. However, the study revealed that majority of the teachers’ adopt teacher- centered approach in teaching reproductive health education to the adolescents with hearing impairment at Ashanti school for the deaf, Jamasi. Also, relevant and adequate teaching and learning materials are not used during teaching of reproductive health lessons and also majority of the teachers are not adequately trained on reproductive health education to deliver factual information on reproductive health to adolescents with hearing impairment. It was therefore recommended that the Directorate of Ghana Education Service should supply Ashanti School for the deaf, Jamasi with adequate teaching and learning materials to help enhance effective teaching of reproductive health. Also the District Directorate should organize workshop, seminars, and in – service training for the teachers’ to enable them vary their teaching methods and provide factual information on reproductive health to the students.