Factors that lead to the low enrolment of female Students in science based undergraduate courses at The university of Nairobi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that lead to the low enrolment of female students in science based undergraduate courses at the University of Nairobi. Five objectives and research questions were formulated to guide the study. Research objective number one sought to establish whether there was a significant relationship between the performance of girls in sciences in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination and their enrolment in science based undergraduate courses. Objective two sought to find out whether there was any significant relationship between the admission criteria used by the Joint Admissions Board and the enrolment of females in the science based undergraduate courses. Objective three sought to find out whether there was any significant relationship between the perceptions and attitudes of females towards sciences and their enrolment in the science based undergraduate courses. Objective four sought to find out whether there is any significant relationship between the socialization process of females in the society and their enrolment in the science based undergraduate courses and objective five sought to determine the measures that can be undertaken to solve the problem of gender based imbalances in science based undergraduate courses in public universities. The literature reviewed provided a comprehensive analysis of the factors that lead to the low enrolment of female students in the science based undergraduate courses. The research design was a descriptive survey. The target population was all the female students pursuing undergraduate courses in ~l faculties at the University of Nairobi. The sample population consisted of 30 female students from each faculty giving a total sample of 360.The response was good with a response return rate of 308 out of the sampled 360.This represented an 85.5% return rate making it adequate to cover the study. Data was collected by use of questionnaires for the female students. The analysis revealed that factors such as the poor performance of girls in sciences in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination, negative attitude and perceptions towards science courses and a gender biased socialization process by the society as factors that lead to the low enrolment of female students in sciences.