THE EFFECT OF GENDER ISSUES ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF LEARNERS IN SCHOOLS; A CASE STUDY OF LODWAR DISTRICT KENYA

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the gender issues on the academic

performance of learners in selected schools of Lodwar district in Kenya. Specific objectives of

the study was to: examine the impact of gender on academic performance of learners in schools

in Lodwar l)istrict and to examine strategies used by schools to improve on the academic

performance of the girls and boys in schools. ‘l’his chapter presents the methodological aspects. It

describes the research design sampling design. study area and sample sL’t. research procedures.

data collection instruments, data analyzed and limitations of the study The methods used for data

collection were face to face interviews, carried out on to parents: Questionnaire distribution to

students and teachers. Observation was done on the state of the learners. The findings revealed

by 70% of the respondents that gender issues affect the performance of the learner’s negatively.

58% of the respondents also revealed that majority of the learners in the schools arc boys.

According to 70% of the respondents. most of the schools had gender biasness in all the

resourees used by the learners. 80% of the respondents revealed that poverty has greatly affected

the performance of the learners. To ensure quality, the study recommended that the government

should step in to see that all children are taken to school both girls and boys. l’he parents and the

community should be sensitized on the importance of educating all their children both boys and

girls. The government non-government organi?ations, publishers, and curriculum developers

should work hand in hand to produce gender sensitive books, which will change the attitude and

stereotype thinking. This paper intended to investigate gender differences in the academic ethnic

and academic achievement among students. The data collected from students and teachers, was

through the survey method. A recommendation to the NGOS is that can play an effective role in

assisting the State to complement the public education system and to improve its effectiveness. As

various survey revealed that the experimental approaches of the NGOs have successfully tackled

many shortcomings in schooling. The Government of Kenya should create an atmosphere of

NGO-Govt. alliance to achieve universal primary education as an urgent need. Parents should

provide all support (financial, moral emotional) to their children irrespective to gender. ‘l’his ‘sill

enhance their academic performance.

XI