Table of contents
Declaration ....................................................................................... i
Approval. ....................................................................................... ii
Dedication ...................................................................................... iii
Acknowledgment ............................................................................. .iv
Table of contents .............................................................................. v
List of tables ................................................................................... vi
List of charts ....... • ........................................................................... vii
List of charts .................................................................................. vii
ABSTRACT .................................................................................. .ix
CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................ !
1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................... !
l.!Background of the Study .................................................................. 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem ................................................................. 2
1.3 Objectives of the Study .................................................................... 2
1.2 Research Questions ......................................................................... 2
1.3 Scope of the Study.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3
I .4 Significance of the study...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3
1.5 Limitations of the study.................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3
1.6 Conceptual Frame Work ................................................................. .4
CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................... 5
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................. 5
2.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 5
2.2 Causes of Gender Inequality .............................................................. 5
2.3 Effects of Gender on Performance.................................................. .9
2.4 Community pmiicipation towards girls' academic performance ..................... 9
2.5 Solutions to the poor gender performance in science .............................. I 0
CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................... 13
3.0 METHODOLOGY ....................................................................... 13
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................... 13
3.2 Research Design .......................................................................... 13
3 .3. Organization of the study ............................................................... 13
3.3.1 Area of study ........................................................................... 13
3.3.2 Study population and Sample size ................................................... 13
3.3.3. Smnpling technique .................................................................... 13
3 .4 Research instruments ..................................................................... 14
3.5. Reliability of instruments ............................................................... 14
3.6. Data Collection Procedures ............................................................. 14
3. 7. Methods of data analysis ............................................................... 14
3.8. Data analysis .............................................................................. 15
CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................ 16
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATIONS ...................................................................... .16
V
4.1 Introduction ................................................................................ 16
4.1 Profile of the respondents ............................................................... 16
4.2 Causes of Gender Inequality in Performance ......................................... I 8
4.3 Effects of gender inequality in education ............................................. 29
4.4 Community contribution towards girl's academic
performance ........................................................................................... .31
4.5. Solutions the poor academic performance of girls in
science .......................................................................................... 31
CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................. .33
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMENATION .............................. 33
5.0 Introduction........................................................................... 33
5.1 Summary of Finding................................................................. 33
5.3. Conclusions .............................................................................. 36
5.4. Recommendations ....................................................................... 37
5.5 Suggestions for further research ....................................................... .38
REFERENCES ................................................................................ 39
APPENDIX I: TRANSMIT AL LETTER ................................................ .42
APPENDIX 11: ACCEPTANCE LETTER .............................................. .43
Appendix III: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TEACHERS .................................. .44
Appendix IV: QURSTIONNAIRE FOR PUPILS ....................................... .47
MAP OF KENYA ............................................................................ 50
ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of Gender on the academic performance of pupils in five selected schools, namely; Kibumbu, Chuka Township, Eriani, Njeru Junior and Ndagani primary schools of Karigani zone, Chuka Division, Meru south district, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effects of location on academic performance of pupils with regard to; discipline of pupils, school drop out, infrastructure of the school, pupils participation in education, gender disparities and socio-cultural practices. The methods of data collection were questionnaires and interviews. It was also revealed that more boys participate in school than girls. Among the 10780 pupils in Chuki zone, 6,0780 were boys and 4000 were female. The study also revealed that drop out ,rate for girls is high compared to boys in the zone. The study revealed that schools inadequate learning materials do not favor girl's academic performance. 15(25%) of pupils respondents responded to adequate learning materials while 45(75%) of pupils said learning materials were inadequate. The study revealed that enrolment and performance of girls in rural areas is lower compared to urban areas. According to the study, punishment levels were high and led to girls' drop out of school which interfered with their academic performance. Teachers responded to punishments as a way of instilling morale in pupils to perform better in class. The study revealed that effects of gender inequality in education effected from teacher student interactions, student grouping, class room climate and assessment strategies. The study revealed that teachers, parents mostly in rural areas do not involve them selves in girls' education life. If a girl is lucky to attain school fees from their parent, that is enough. This is shown in the responses for both teachers and pupils whereby 10 (16.7%) and 5 (8.3%) respectively mentioned about parents caring. Govermnent was recommended to increase the funding of primary education to improve the existing infrastructure, payments and other teacher budgets which caters for female education since educating a girl is educating a nation. The last objective was summed up by the respondents views on what would be the solution to girls' poor academic performance in sciences. The respondents requested for the community sensitization on the importance of girls education bearing in mind that educating a girl is educating a IX nation, teachers requested the government to improve on school learning facilities in order to make girls comfortable in both classes and outside, pupils requested in the revision of the school curriculum to suit girls and lastly respondents were of the view that single schools should be encouraged for girls confortability.