Female Student Stream Choice and Academic Performance in Preparatory Schools in East Wallega Zone, Oromia Region
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose (objective) of this study was to examine the stream choice and perfo rmance of fe lllale
students in preparatory schools of East Wallaga Zone Oromia region. To achieve iii is objec tive
da ta were collected from 201 felllale stu de nts and 74 teacher respondents using instrulllen is sllch
as questionnaire, interuiew alld doclllllellts analysis. The data obtained were all (lly zed ill lerllls of
percentage. Data f rom interu iew II/ere II llalyzed using narration . Findings revealed Ihat fel/lII le
studen ts' stream choice was Iligllly il1jlllell ced by peer group advice, family expectation (specially
mothers) and the individu al ill teres 1 offemale studenls themselves, which had happened ll' ili lO llt
hauing enough info rmatioll aboul the slrelllllS. There was relative increment of social science
fenwle students in the last four years wllereas, their achievement was lower than nalurnl sciell ce
stream students. Potential fac tors for female students' low performance IPere female studellts' less
effort in studying, low confidence, lack of parental financial support, mothers poor educational
back ground and parents' low expectatiOlls about female students academic perfonllllll ce.
Generally female students' streanl choice seems that had happened IPithout having better
knowledge about the streams and because of the pressure from peer group and family. This
manifested itself in academic peljorlllance of female students' of social science stream Ihan
natural science in their 1,1 Se l1les ter grade twelve 2007/8 E.e. Examination result. For female
students' stream choice, giving detailed orien tation about each stream and l1laking them free from
external pressure, and to allain this, strellgthening guidance and counseling sen/ices by
profeSSional counselors are suggested. Woreda Education office and preparatory schools should
jointly work to change fam ily alii tude in order to invest material and finan ce for the successful
achievement of female students and be convinced that female students can exert equal efforts as
males in education are suggested
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Education