GENDER DIFFERENCE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN SELECTED GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN CASE OF GAMO ZONE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences and academic performance of students in government secondary schools of Gamo Zone. For this study, a mixed design was used with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The population for this study was 1573. Then 309 respondents were selected by using simple random sampling techniques. The respondents comprise 309 students, 4 principals, and 16 department head teachers with the 329 participants out of 1573 study populations. The participants of interview were administered for principals, and questionnaire was administered to 309 students, of which 280 students were properly filled and returned, and focus group discussion was for department head teachers. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statics such as, frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation while the data gathered through interview, open-ended and focus group discussion were analyzed systematically to triangulate the information obtained through questionnaire. Dropout rate of students in the study area was at alarming rate i.e. 10.4%, 9.1% and 10.7% in 2009, 2010 and 2011 E.C. respectively. In addition to this, rate of frequency for detained was 3.6%, 6.8% and 9.6% in 2011, 2012 and 2013 E.C. respectively. The trends of jointing university show that no continuous progress in students Achievement with 67.6%, 56.1% and 48% in 2011, 2012 and 2013 E.C. respectively. The relationship between gender difference and student’ achievement score is very high correlation (r =0.907). From this study, one can infer that student’s achievement was decreased from year to year respectively in 9th, 10th and preparatory grade level. The low level of the student’s academic performance was a function of low level of the schools’ exercise. The findings of the study revealed that most teachers were not support students by giving special class through tutorial program to improve their performance, around 223(79.6%) respondents agreed that attitude of families, and societies thinking about educating girls are unchanged, since they have to get early marriage and join another family. Female students perform lower in both school and national level examination as compared to boys, majority of female students were sexually harassed by both male students (peer) and community to made early marriage in study area. To overcome the challenges encountered, recommendations have been forwarded. The school should create awareness creation training in gender sensitive techniques through workshops which given to teachers to transform the negative attitudes and behaviors towards girls in classrooms and sexual harassment against, develop a smooth communication among student’s families so that can comfortable the school’s environment. The school should invite some successful and model female figures in different disciplines to share their experiences for female students, motivation and moral in their respective ground of social life, and Woreda education office should hire enough number of professionals, guidance and counselors mainly females whom the female students are free to share their feelings and problems in their entirety.