Girls' attitudes towards science in Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated girls' attitudes towards science in Kenya. The study was carried out with a group of girls from four Kenyan secondary schools. These were, an urban single-sex and co-educational school, a rural single-sex and co-educational school. Different schools were chosen in order to explore whether there are any differences in attitudes in single-sex and co-educational schools and in schools in rural and urban areas. The methodology included both qualitative and quantitative research tools. The main aim was to gain insight into the extent and depth of students' attitudes towards science. Thirty students from each of the four schools completed a questionnaire. Fifteen students were then chosen from each of the four schools from among those who had filled in the questionnaires to take part in the focus group interviews. The findings of the study showed that, majority of the Kenyan girls have a favourable attitude towards science. Girls in single-sex schools were found to have a more favourable attitude than those in co-educational schools, while girls in urban area schools were found to have a more positive attitude than those in rural areas. It emerged from this study that, the attitudes of Kenyan girls are influenced by their perceptions of the relevance of science, enjoyment of studying science, perceptions of the suitability of science for a career and their perceptions of subject difficulty.