Self-Esteem And Career Aspirations as Correlates of Academic Achievement of Learners with Hearing Impairment in Special Secondary Schools in North Eastern Nigeria

Academic achievement is an important parameter used to measure learners’ outcome in schools. However, studies have shown that the education of learners with disabilities have constantly been neglected by the government of Nigeria. This has led to a downward trend in the academic achievement of learners, especially those with disabilities. This study examines the self-esteem and career aspirations as correlates of academic achievement of learners with hearing impairment in special secondary schools in north eastern Nigeria. Correlation research design was adopted. The target population is 1,402 learners with hearing impairment in special senior secondary schools. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 351 Senior Secondary Two (SS II) learners across the five special schools in North Eastern Nigeria. The instruments for data collection are Learners' Self-esteem Rosenberg Scale (LSRS), Learners’ Career Aspiration Questionnaire (LCAQ), and “An English Language Pro forma (ELP)”. Data gathered were analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation and multiple linear regression. The study found a strong relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement of learners with hearing impairment in English language. There was a moderate but positive relationship between career aspiration and academic achievement of learners with hearing impairment in English language. Both self-esteem and career aspiration jointly have direct positive impact on students’ academic achievement. The study concludes that both self-esteem and career aspiration can independently or collectively push students into better academic performance. The study recommends among others that teachers should work toward boosting self-esteem and career aspiration of their students through constructive teaching approach. Keywords: Self-Esteem, Career Aspirations, Academic Achievement, Learners with Hearing Impairment, Special Schools