Off-Campus Residence and Female Students: in Some Selected Teacher Education institutes of Oromia
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa Univerisity
Abstract
Conducive learning environment is one of the factors that affect students ' academic performance. Scholars
believe that students' residence is part of the learning environment which affects students' academic
work. Following the establishment of new education and training policy in Ethiopia, TEIs introduced off
campus residence system to increase their accommodation rate. This study was aimed at examining the
problems and opportunities that female students are experiencing in their academic work related to off
campus residence in Orimia TEls and to suggest some possible means that could make the learning
environment conducive for the female students ' .
To conduct the study descriptive survey method was employed. Out of 6 TEIs in the Region, 3 were
randomly selected using lottery method and from the selected TEIs, 241 third year female students and 93
teachers were again randomly selected from the sample TEls. Besides, deans and pertinent OEB official
were used as data sources on purposive basis. Furthermore, 6 female students were taken randomly to get
deep information through interview. Questionnaire and interview were used as an instrument in data
collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentage, mean, t-test and descriptive statements.
Qualitative data were analyzed qualitatively to support the information obtained through questionnaire.
The study found out that students have unfavorable attitude towards off campus residence, because female
students could not use library during night time, their property is stolen by unknown individuals, they are
exposed to health problem, and unwanted pregnancy. These students also get married with their male
student friends to secure themselves from sexual harassment. Besides, these off campus resident female
students nave low involvement in curricular activities and in general external hostile environment made
them not to concentrate on their academic work. On the contrary, this study found out that the students
have gained some opportunities from the system like learning the culture of the community in which they
are living, means of leading themselves (self management) in the future: economically, socially etc. The
study also revealed that TEIs were not supporting the students to create appropriate learning situation for
them. In conclusion poor housing condition, sexual harassment problem, adjustment problem, financial
problem and lack of support from the institutions were the major problems that made the students to
develop unfavorable attitude to the system and negatively affected their academic performance. Finally,
the study, recommended some better ways and means, to create suitable learning environment for off
campus resident female students in Oromia TEls.
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Keywords
Female Students