Factors Hindering Girls from Selecting Science Subjects in Public Secondary Schools in Sumbawanga Municipality, Tanzania
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SAUT
Abstract
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The main objective of this study was to ascertain the factors that hinder girls from
selecting science subjects in ordinary secondary school level in Sumbawanga
Municipality compared to other subjects in the curriculum. To achieve the objective of
this study a mixed research approach and descriptive survey design were employed.
Interview and questionnaires were used in collecting data whereby purposive and simple
random techniques were used to choose the sample of the respondents of this study which
comprised 98 respondents. SPSS; a computer programme 20 version and thematic
analysis were used to analyse the information collected. The findings revealed that the
factors hindering girls from selecting science subjects were negative. The reasons behind
were the difficulty of science subjects, science subjects are perceived as being for boy
students, girls’ lack of confidence and commitment in opting for science subjects,
inadequate number of science subject teachers, insufficient and well-equipped
laboratories and poor performance in form two exams. These factors hinder girls from
selecting science subjects. This situation has led to the shortage of female experts in the
field of science. The researcher recommended that parents, stakeholders, community and
the government should create a conducive teaching and learning environment for all
public secondary schools in Sumbawanga Municipality in order to eliminate the negative
attitudes that girls have towards science subjects. The government should educate enough
science subject teachers to fill in the existing gap of science subject teachers. The study
concluded by suggesting that the MEO, the heads of schools and science subject teachers
should see what needs to be done so as to reduce negative attitudes towards science
subjects for the girl students in public secondary schools in Sumbawanga municipality.
Keywords
Science Subjects