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TASK:

CIVIC EDUCATION RESEARCH

TITLE: Factors hindering female learners` participation in technical courses in Zambian Secondary
Schools: (A case study of Livingstone District)

AIM: To find the Factors hindering female learners` participation in technical courses in Zambian
secondary schools in Livingstone District.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The female performance in technical courses was expected to increase with the introduction
of new technology in the country. However, statistic still indicated that the female poor
performance in technical courses is still the same. It is therefore uncertain whether the poor
female performance in secondary schools and colleges had effects. Female pupils enrolled in
non-traditional occupations programme exhibits poor academic performance in Technical
Courses. On the other hand, it was unsure as to what causes poor female performance in
technical courses.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The general objective of study was to:

i) Determine factors hindering Female learners’ participation in technical courses in


Zambian institutions.
In an attempt to attain the main objectives, this study will be centred on the following specific
objectives to collect more information:

i) To assess poor female performance in technical courses.


ii) To identify potential barriers to good academic performance for girls in male
dominated technical courses.

The purpose of study will be to determine the causes of poor performance of girls in technical
courses particularly in secondary school pupils in Livingstone District, Southern Province.

RATIONALE/ABSTRACT/SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY


In our technologically advancing society, there is a growing need for females in traditionally
male-dominated careers. In spite of this growing need, females are not enrolling in
technology education classes. This study investigates some of the factors influencing female
student’s perceptions of and interests in technology education courses.

This study will be conducted to determine reasons or factors that are influencing females not
to take technology education courses in Zambia with a case study of Livingstone District.
Questionnaires will be distributed to participants to gather the information for this study.
Both boys and girls will be involved in the study in order to reduce the awkwardness of just
having the girls complete the survey. In order to get realistic information, only the surveys
completed by the females will be analysed. The participants will only mark their gender and
course on the survey instrument, but not their names.

The study will use descriptive survey design. The target population for the study will be six
(6) secondary schools in Livingstone District. The study will involve twenty technical
courses teachers, 5 heads of discipline and 60 Grade 8 to 12 pupils taking technical courses in
the six (6) secondary schools making a total of 85 possible respondents. Simple random
sampling will be used to select the 85 respondents who will participate in the study.
Information will be collected by use of self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face
interview. The data will be analysed using frequency distribution tables, percentages, and bar
graphs

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

To be able to meet the needs of the research design, the researcher will use the following
tools to collect and analyse the data:

 Using questionnaire to collect data.


 Using interview to collect data.
 Descriptive statistics will be used to analyze the collected data

RESEARCH DESIGN

The study will use a descriptive survey design. Nwadiuro (1997) defines research design as a
structure of a research that is, what to do and how to do it. It involves the structuring of
variables in a manner that enable their relationship to be determined. Kombo (2002) observes
that descriptive research design collects information that describes or answers questions
concerning a current situation such as school. Gay, (1995) asserts that survey design can be
used to asses cause and effects of events. According to Orodho (2005), descriptive survey
deals with incidences, distribution and interrelationships of educational variables. Descriptive
survey design entails an in-depth empirical collection of data about a phenomenon.

TARGET GROUP

- The target group for the study will include technical courses teachers, heads of disciplines
and female pupils from secondary schools in Livingstone District.
- The target population will involve 85 possible respondents which comprises of 20
technical courses teachers, 5 heads of discipline and 55 Grades 8 to12 pupils in the 6
secondary schools making a total of 75 possible respondents.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The findings of this study will be helpful to the stakeholders in the following ways. Regional
level government planners engaged in the formulation of sectoral oriented operational and
strategic plans in the areas of education could utilize the findings of the research. Moreover,
home-grown as well as international NGOs interested in advancing the Education Sector
Development Programmes in the study area by launching different response or intervention
packages could take an advantage of this research. It can lay the basis for further similar and
extended research at the study Region. Its final document can help as a reference for those
writing term papers and theses. Ultimately, the findings may help policy makers at macro-
level consider micro-level variations in formulating national and sub-national policies and
programs.

PERIOD OF TIME TO BE TAKEN


The study will cover about three (3) to five (5) months.

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