ABSTRACT

A persistent gender gap exists in science - based learning. This study dwells on the effect of gender on academic performance of boys and girls in science in post primary institutions in Kenya. The study seeks to identify the factors that lead to poor performance and unbalanced gender representation in science - based subjects. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The quantitative techniques dealt with data and data analysis based on findings, while qualitative technique was based on un-quantifiable information based on findings. The findings are expected to provide insight to causes of gender imbalance in science. The findings are aimed at equipping all educational stakeholders with information for balanced learning in science, by both girls and boys

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

DECLARATION .................................................................................................. i 

APPROVAL ....................................................................................................... ii 

DEDICATION ................................................................................................... iii 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................... iv 

TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................... v 

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................ vii 

LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................... viii 

ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................... ix 

CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................ 1 

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1 

1.0 Background of the study ............................................................................. 1 

1.1 Statement of the problem ................................ : ........................................... 1 

1.2 Theory ......................................................................................................... 2 

1.3 Significance of the study .............................................................................. 3 

1.4 Objectives .................................................................................................. .4 

1.5 Statement of null hypothesis ...................................................................... .4 

1.6 Limitations .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 

CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................ 5 

2.0 Review of related literature .......................................................................... 5 

CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................ 8 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................................... 8 

3.0 Design ........................................................................................................ 8 

3.1 Environments: .............................................................................................. 8 

3.2 Subjects/ Respondents ............... , ................................................................ 8 ~.~ Instrument. ................................................................................... ,, ,, ... ,,, ,,,,, 9 3.4 Data collection procedures .......................................................... , .. , .. , ........ 9 CHAr'TER FOUR ..................... ,, ..................................................................... 10 

V 

4.0 Statistical treatment of data ...................................................................... 10 

4.1 Data analysis ............................................................................................. 10 

4.2 Demographic information about target population ..................................... 10 

4.3 Graphical analysis of target population ..................................................... 11 

4.6. Summary of tables of results on questionnaires ...................................... 14 

4.8 Graphical analysis of K.C.S.E performance .............................................. 16 

CHAPTER FIVE .............................................................................................. 17 

5.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 17 

5.1 Recommendations ..................................................................................... 17 

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................. 19 

APPENDENCES ............................................................................................. 20 

APPENDIX A ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

QUESTIONNAIRES ........................................................................................ 20 

APPENDIX B ....................................................................................... , ........... 22 

MAP OF RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT .......................................................... 22