Sign language policy implementation in special schools for the deaf in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine how sign language policies are being implemented in special schools for the Deaf in Zimbabwe. It employed in-depth interviews to solicit data from 29 participants who were four district school inspectors, four educational psychologists, four school heads and 17 grade one to three specialist teachers. Data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis at the semantic level. The study revealed inconsistencies in sign language policy implementation as consequences of ambiguity of policy goals and conflict of the means of achieving the policy goals. The study further revealed that government officers were not proficient in sign language and so could not monitor policy implementation. Several other factors influenced the implementation of sign language policies in the special schools. Policy implementers were not aware of the meaning of sign language policies and how the policies were supposed to be implemented. There were, therefore, misunderstandings regarding how policies were to be implemented. Schools used various forms of sign language as a way of implementing the policies. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended that policymakers ensure that they formulate sign language policies whose goals and means are not ambiguous to avoid conflict in the way the policies are implemented. It was also recommended that the Ministry of Education provides capacity development opportunities to sign language policy implementers starting from those at national, provincial, district and down to school levels where classroom teachers need to be taught how the sign language policies can be implemented.

KEYWORDS:

• Medium of instruction
• sign language policy
• policy implementation
• special schools for the deaf
• deaf
• language-in-education policy
• mother tongue based instruction
• curriculum

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Reward Chegovo

Reward Chegovo is pursuing doctoral studies in Special Needs Education at Great Zimbabwe University.

Martin Musengi

Martin Musengi is Director of Quality Assurance and Academic Planning at Great Zimbabwe University in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.

Mary Runo

Mary Runo is Dean of the Faculty of Education at Archbishop Mihayo University College of Tabora in Tabora, Tanzania.