Analysis of Mathematics Curriculum for Children with Hearing Impairment: An Islamic Perspective

Abstract

Present study was designed to analyze the content of mathematics curriculum made for grade 4 and 5 and comparing it to the curriculum which is taught to hearing students; to determine the target needs of hearing impaired students for learning mathematics and its compatibility with existing Islamic perspectives of teaching; and to explore the teacher’s opinion about existing curriculum of mathematics offered to students with hearing impairment from grade 4-5. 100 students of grade 4 and 5 with a distribution of 50 hearing impaired and 50 hearing were compared on three different sets of tests with low, moderate, and high level of complexity. 10 teachers teaching mathematics at special education were also a part of study to explore their opinions and target needs of hearing impaired students.  The tests prepared by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) based on current curriculum with low, moderate, and high level of complexity consisting of 10 questions with 5 marks each and total score 50 were used as research tool. National Mathematics Curriculum Document published by Punjab Government for class IV and V and Mathematics Curriculum used in special school provided by Directorate General Special Education, was used to understand what curriculum is offered to the students with hearing impairment. A semi-structured interview guide was designed to interview teachers. Independent sample t-test was used to find the differences in scores achieved by hearing and hearing impaired students on 3 standard tests with low, moderate and high level of complexity. Results indicate that hearing students score high on all three mathematics test as compared to hearing impaired students. Content analysis indicates that present curriculum is not designed according to the needs of hearing impaired students. Modified curriculum was lacking in contents related to specific topics e.g Zakat & Usher, Islamic inheritance rules, Islamic economy (profit/loss). It contains the content that is beyond their cognitive abilities. Mathematics curriculum used in special schools for grade IV and V should be revised and updated according to the needs of hearing impaired students in perspective of Islam.