Gender balance phenomenon in secondary schools: prospects and challenges in Babati district
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Dodoma
Abstract
The objective of this study was to gain in depth understanding of the phenomenon of
gender balance in secondary schools and to document its prospects and challenges in
education. The study examined the state of gender balance in secondary schools and
explored teachers and students perception on gender balance in some selected
secondary schools in Babati District in Manyara. It also examined prospects and
challenges of gender balanced classroom in academic achievements. The study
employed a mixed method approach. A total 90 purposively sampled respondents
from six secondary schools participated in this study, which included 60 students, 24
teachers and 6 heads of the schools. The data were collected through interviews,
documentary review and focus group discussions qualitative data was analyzed
through descriptive content analysis, and quantitative data was calculated and
quantified in form of percentages.
The findings revealed that the source of gender disparity in secondary schools
emanated from family economic problem (poverty), cultural (girl child marriage,
gender role in the household) and individual factor (teenager‟s pregnancies and
truancy). Other sources include long distance to schools and lack of role models. The
researcher suggested various measures that can be done to reduce gender disparity in
Secondary schools, among them being providing guidance and counseling to girls
and community sensitization on the important of educating girls, existence and
effects of sexual harassments. It was further suggested that The Tanzania Institute of
Education to incorporate gender as a cross cutting issue in Secondary education
curriculum.
Description
Dissertation (MA Education)
Keywords
Gender balance, Secondary schools, Babati district, Manyara, Challenges, Prospects, Academic achievements, Gender disparity, Students perception, Teachers perceptions
Citation
Kabura, N. (2013). Gender balance phenomenon in secondary schools: prospects and challenges in Babati district. Dodoma: The University of Dodoma