Participation and Performance of Female Pupils in Urban Primary Schools: The Case of Awassa City Administration
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Date
2004-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the participation and performance of female pupils
in primary schools of Awassa town.
To achieve this aim, 430 primary pupils; 81 teachers; diTectors of all the sample schools; 79
parents and 2 women representatives were in volved as research participants. The required
data was sec ured using different instruments such as: questionnaiTes, guided interview, test
administration, document analysis and foc us group discussion. Accordingly, the data
secured was analyzed by using different methods of data analysis, like: narrative approach
for qualitative data and statistical approach (including percentages and t- test) for
quantitative data.
The results obtained indicate that female participation (enro lment) in Awassa IS
encouraging.
However, the findings furth er indicate that not aU schoo l-age girls in the town are attending
school. The major reasons indicated for not going to school were economic problem and
household demand of child labor. Regarding survival in the education system, female
pupils survival compared with their peer opposite sexes is high. Girls repeat grades more
than boys. Besides, absenteeism is also considerable for female pupils. The test
administration revealed that no significant difference in achievement is observed between
the two sexes in English and mathematics. The schoo ls under study are impoverished, they
lack basic amenities like: drinking water, books, library, laboratory, --- etc. It was further
identified that school- community relationship is poor. Further more, political and
institutional factors are found to be conducive in promoting female education.
Implications fo rwarded in terms of intervention strategies include: providing economic or
material incentives for poor households, improving existing facilities in schools, promoting
gender sensitive training, arranging guidance and counseling services in schools, enhancing
the rights and status of female pupils, increasing the number of female teachers and
directors, developing appropriate record keeping system in schools, strengthening schoolcommunity
relation ship and making schools conducive and friend ly fo r giTls.
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Keywords
Performance of Female Pupils