Factors Influencing Girls’ Low Enrolment and Poor Performance in Physics in Mfangano Island Ward,homa Bay County, Kenya.

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the factors influencing the performance and enrolment of girls in Mfangano Island ward. The choice of this topic was influenced by the fact that Physics is offered as an optional subject and thus fewer girls opt for it as the subject of choice and again performance and enrolment in Physics in Kenya and particularly in Mfangano Island Ward has remained low over the years. The design of the study was descriptive survey and was carried out in 5 (five) schools sampled from the Ward, two of which were pure mixed day secondary schools, two were mixed day and boarding schools and one was a pure boarding school which was selected using stratified sampling. A total of 130 students and 17 practicing teachers (7 Physics teachers, 5 HODs and 5 principals) participated in the study. Data was collected using teachers‟ questionnaire, students‟ questionnaire, HODs‟ interview schedule as well as Students‟ achievement tests. These included achievement test scores, entry behavior, learners‟ attitude towards Physics, teacher characteristics and teaching methodology. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics techniques. Tables were also used to display data. The study found out that peer influence affects the performance and enrolment in physics. It again revealed that students attitude do affect performance and enrolment in Physics so as the entry behavior. The study did not find any relationship between mathematical and spatial ability on enrolment and performance. The study recommended that teachers should try to work on students‟ attitude and teachers‟ service commission should post female teachers to act as role model to female student