Factors Affecting The Stream Choice of Students In Preparatory Schools of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone of Oromia Region
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2008-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting the stream
choice of students in general and natural science stream in particular. To put this
into effect descriptive survey research method was employed. The subjects of the
study were 38 teachers, 6 school principals, 8 education officials, and 277 students.
Generally, a total of 329 respondents were included in the study. T/:le schools were
selected using availability sampling,' teachers, school principals and education
officials were identified by purposive sampling method and student respondents
were selected by stratified and systematic random sampling method. The data were
drawn from questionnaires, interview and observation checklist. The data gathered
through questionnaires were analyzed using percentages, means, and descriptive
statements. Descriptive narratives were used for the qualitative data gathered
through open ended questions, interview and school observation. The study
revealed that currently the enrolment of students in natural science stream is
falling. The study also identified a number of discouraging factors which caused
students to develop disinterest towards natural science subjects. These were
difficulties of physical science subjects, lack of subject and/or career advices in the
schools, lack of qualified science teachers, absence of practical laboratory
activities, irrelevancy of science curricula to daily life, plasma TV dominated
instruction (lack of maximum teacher student contact time), lack of encouragement
from subject teacher, less efficiency of students in calculation, expansion of private
colleges in social science areas, lack of future job opportunities low job and social
status of natural science careers, and the lack of confidence developed in students
due to falling of quality of education in lower grades. Moreover, the study showed
that there is significant enrolment difference between females and males in natural
science stream. Finally, recommendations were forwarded
Description
Keywords
Preparatory Schools of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone of Oromia Region