Factors influencing survival rate of female students' enrolment in physics subject in public secondary schools in Kirinyaga Central district, Kenya

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate factors influencing the survival rate of female students' enrolment in physics subject in public secondary schools in Kirinyaga Central District. The study was guided by four objectives. How the school policies influence female students' enrolment in physics subject, parents' influence on the enrolment of the female students' in physics subject, how the anticipated career placement affect the female students in enrolling in physics subject and how the teaching and practical aspect of the subject affects the female students' enrolling in physics. The study employed a descriptive survey design. All form three girls doing physics, physics teachers, career masters and principals in Kirinyaga Central District were targeted. A sample of 16 schools, 16 principals, 16 career masters, 16 physics teachers and 355 students were selected through simple random sampling to participate in the study. The data was collected by use of questionnaires, interview guide and check list. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics by using the computer statistical package for the social sciences SPSS version 16 and Microsoft Excel. The study found that schools have policies that guide the subject selection. In most schools such policies don't allow the students choose subjects combination they may wish and are left to pick from the available alternatives offered by the school. It was very evident that the principals don't play an active role in supervising or guiding the students in the selection exercise and have delegated the work to dean of studies or class teachers. Though most schools had appointed career's master the department was found to be ineffective due to the fact that majority of those in the office had no formal training in the area. Parents were found very influential in assisting their daughters in subject selection. It was found that the level of involvement depended with the parents' level of education and the type of employment. The teaching methodology of physics subject was found to be more student-centered in co-educational institution than in girls' only institutions. The female students in co-education schools were found to be more comfortable in doing physics practical than those in girls' only schools. The enrolment in physics subject was found high in girls' only schools than in coeducation schools. Therefore it is recommended that the school administration formulate policies that give students freedom in subject selection so that they can achieve their career aspirations. Also more should be done towards training the career masters to match the current trends in labor and job market to give their students right and latest information regarding career