Cultural Determinants of Females' Enrollment and Academic Achievement in Secondary Schools of Guji Zone, Oromia National Regional State
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The effect of gender discriminating cultural practice between male and female in the
educational process not only restricts females' participation and performance in schools, but
also limits the levels, types and areas they participate in the educational system as well as in
the society . The problem therefore not only be considered as an obstacle for female
advancement, but also as an impediment to the progress of the society. Hence, the main
purpose of this study was to explore the cultural factors which hinderfemales ' enrollment and
academic achievement in secondary education (9-10) ofGuji zone
In order to attain the objective of the study, a descriptive survey method was employed. The
study was carried out on five first-cycle general secondary (9-10) schools that were selected
using both purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The study also involved 588
female students and 192 male students that were selected using systematic random sampling
technique, and 42 teachers (30 male 'and 12 female) selected via stratified (male and female)
followed by simple random and available sampling techniques. The simple random (lottery
system) was for male teachers and available sampling was for female teachers. The heads of
education, culture and tourism, and women's affair offices of the zone and heads of district
education offices, and the cultural leaders were also selected purposely and involved in the
study. Documentary analysis, questionnaires and interview were the instruments used for
data collection. The data gathered were analyzed using various statistical tools such as
percentages. chi-square, and the Mann·Whitney test for a large sample size. Based on the
result 0/ the analysis, the enrollment ratio of females was less than boys, dropout rate of
female students was relatively lower than male students, the dropout rate of females in grade
9 was greater than that of grade 10, females were less than boys in their academic
pel.formance. The cultural factors such as; early marriage, pregnancy, the altitude of the
society towards females' education,' lack of females role models in the society, females'
motivation and expectations, household responsibilities, and fear of sexual harassment,
abduction or rape were identified as cultural factors hindering females' enrollment and
academic achievement in the study area. It was thus indicated that female students'
enrollment and academic achievement is a function of out-ol-school factors. Therefore, it was
recommended that measures related to sensitization and education of the community in
general and cultural leaders in particular, labor saving technologies, presence of role
models, availability of job opportunities be taken to improve females' enrollment and
academic achievement in secondary education of Guji zone.
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Keywords
female in the educational process