The Effects Of Gender Issues On The Academic Performance Of Learners In Secondary Schools.

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of the gender issues on the academic performance of learners in selected schools of Central division , Trans-Nzoia West west district, Kenya. Specific objectives of the study were to: examine the impact of gender on academic performance of learners Central division , Kiambu, Kenya and to examine strategies used by schools to improve on the academic performance of the girls and boys in Waitaluk Secondary School west division. The methods used for data collection were face to face interview, which were carried on with parents, Questionnaires were distributed 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 are boys. According to 70% of the respondents most of the schools had gender biasness in all the resources 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. The parents and the community should be sensitized on the importance of educating all their children both boys and girls. The government non-government organizations, publishers and curriculum developers should work hand in hand to produce gender sensitive books, which will change the attitude and stereotype thinking.

TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................... i APROVAL ................................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................. v DEFINITION OF TERMS ......................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................... viii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ ix CHAPTER ONE .......................................................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................... 1 1.0 introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Statement of the problem ........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Purpose of the study ................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Objectives of the study ............................................................................................................ 2 1.4 Researcher Questions .............................................................................................................. 2 1.5 Significance of the study ......................................................................................................... 2 1.6 Scope ofthe study ................................................................................................................... 3 1.6.1 Content scope ....................................................................................................................... 3 Geographical scope ....................................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER TW0 ......................................................................................................................... 4 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................... 4 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Effect of gender issues on the Academic Performance of learners in schools ....................... .4 2.2 Socio- Economic causes .......................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Socio cultural causes ............................................................................................................... 4 2.4 Teacher's Attitude and Class Interaction ................................................................................ 5 2.5 Gender Biases in Resources .................................................................................................... 7 2.6 The school environment .......................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 9 METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................................... 9 3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 9 3.1 Research Design ...................................................................................................................... 9 3.2 Target population .................................................................................................................... 9 3.3 Sample size .............................................................................................................................. 9 3.4 Research procedure ................................................................................................................. 9 3.5 Data collection instruments ................................................................................................... 1 0 3.4.1 Interview ............................................................................................................................. 10 3.4.2 Questionnaires .................................................................................................................... 10 3.6 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 10