Abstract

The main objective of the study was to find out how Gender differentiation affects students’ academic performance in science subjects in the Buea municipality. The study examined gender differentiation indicators like gender stereotyping, social background, ethnic beliefs, and social exclusions.

The study was carried out using students from 6 secondary schools in the Buea municipality. It has four research questions. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire that was administered to students in the various schools found in the sample size. That is Subicol, Salvation, St Therese, B. G .S Molyko, G. H.S Bokwango, and B.H.S Buea. Data were presented using a frequency table and a chart, analyzed using frequency and proportion and multiple response analysis /set. The findings were done according to individual objectives.

The findings show that gender differentiation affects student’s academic performance negatively from stereotype to ethnic beliefs and social exclusions. Only the social background has a positive or no effect on a student’s academic performance in science subjects.

There I recommend that Parents should help their children with their assignments, especially in the sciences. This could make them identify where their children have weaknesses and help them out or inform their teachers thus bettering academic performance in sciences.

School administrators should constantly organize seminars and workshops or give talks to students on the importance of science to themselves and to their environments. These talks and seminars, as well as workshops, could encourage students who had less interest in the sciences to pick them up, thus leading to improved and better academic performances.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter deals with the background of the study which gives us a preview of the topic of study. After that, we look at the Statement of the problem which is the main issue or problem this study intends to find out solutions to. Then the purpose of the study is what this study would achieve.

The objectives are 4 in number as well as 4 research questions which will guide me throughout the study, to make sure I’m on the right track.

This study also has 4 research hypotheses divided into null and alternative. I will also talk about the significance of the study and the scope of the study or delimitation which is the Buea municipality.

Background of the study

Gender refers to the sex of a person that is either being male or female. In the context of this study, the male shall be limited to boys while the female to girls. Boys and girls are born with a biological differences, which makes them basically different. All other gender differences are created by society and often result in a state of inequality in opportunities for boys and girls.

The issue of gender differentiation dates back to time immemorial. In almost every age and society, certain characteristics have been attributed to boys and girls, such that a particular pattern of behavior, dressing, and living is expected of every individual, depending on the person’s sex. Consequently, people grow up adapting to these societal expectations and by so doing limit the range of potential opportunities open to them. In Africa, this affects all aspects of life from education to sports.

It is believed that boys are naturally tougher than girls in all aspects, a belief that plays negatively on girls’ perception of their own capabilities. In a school setting, these perceptions play out in the school actors’ attitudes in handling the so-called more difficult science subjects.

Boys are expected to perform well in mathematics, physics, and chemistry whereas; girls would be expected to excel in arts such as languages, history. These assumptions of male superiority over females create gender stereotyping that is, affording boys better opportunities and encouragement in the sciences to the detriment of the girls.

Gender differentiation too comes in with social backgrounds because families that are poor at times would not like to encourage or give opportunities for their female children in the sciences due to the expensive nature of science textbooks and the laboratory equipment and fees that need to be paid every year.

Ethnic beliefs also play a role in gender differentiation issues as various tribes and parts of the world have beliefs that would site them. In some communities, access to education for girls is a real problem as it is not considered an important or a high priority for girls who are neither supported nor encouraged in the pursuit of their studies.

Not affording girls the opportunity to study at all will not bring out any of their potentials and negativity for them. Apart from the variables mentioned above, there are also social exclusions; which involve being excluded or exempted from doing something. These exemptions may result because the boys think they are superior to girls or would want to prove certain points to their peers. This exclusion from social gatherings greatly contributes to gender differentiation and often affects student’s academic performances.

These gender issues or differentiation have been an issue for a long time and it is still in the present day. Women are standing up to demand equality of rights with men in all aspects of life, as they are girls that would leave school early or would not even go, are sexually abused and exploited, have fewer powers and rights than men. Thus making the gender issues prominent over the centuries and worth researching to try and wipe it out or stamp it out of the society which created most of the issues in the first place.

Statement of the problem

Gender differentiation (discrimination or inequality), has been a serious problem around the world and in Africa in particular over the centuries, for the women who have been fighting the ills of society especially gender discrimination.

Gender differentiation issues such as stereotyping, social exclusions, social backgrounds, and ethnic beliefs manifest in schools today as boys would assume superiority over girls most especially in the sciences.

In schools or even in classroom settings, boys exclude girls from their gatherings which does not bode well for their self-esteem. Therefore, I want to find out how gender differentiation affects students’ academic performance in science subjects.

Purpose of the study

This study is intended to find out how gender differentiation (stereotyping, social backgrounds, ethnic beliefs, and social exclusions) affects students’ academic performance in science subjects.

Objectives of the study

The objectives of these studies are to find out how;

1. Gender stereotyping affects student’s academic performance in science subjects.
2. Social backgrounds affect student’s academic performance in science subjects.
3. Ethnic beliefs affect student’s academic performance in science subjects.
4. Social exclusions affect student’s academic performance in science subjects.