Parental involvement in the education of their children with hearing impairments at Mampong demonstration school for the deaf in the eastern region of Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore parental involvement in the education of their children with hearing impairments at Mampong Demonstration School for the Deaf in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A case study design was adopted for the study. Seventy-five participants were purposively selected for the study. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. Data was analyzed using tables, simple percentages and frequency counts. Findings of the study revealed that parents were involved with their children’s education in the following ways: they provide their children with teaching and learning materials such as exercise books, text books, pens and pencils etc.; foot their school bills such as PTA special levies and dues; help in school fund raisings; monitor school projects; and honour school teacher invitations. However, the parents do not provide input into their children's Individualized Educational Program (IEP) neither do they request for additional educational services nor do engage in spontaneous contacts with teachers among others. The study recommended that parents should be sensitized to develop positive attitudes towards their children's education and also collaborate with teachers to develop an effective IEP for their wards.