AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOW FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION ( EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
- INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
It is an acceptable truth that no society can reach heights of greatness unless there is an ample supply of dedicated men and women in all field critical to its growth and development Uyaga (1999) noted that the contribution of female to nation building is significantly dependent on their manipulation ability and skills acquired though formal or nor formal education. Women’s contribution to wards Nigeria’s greatness is hereby emphasized inline with the tenets of the vision 2010,. Which articulates and specifically calls for mass and functional education for all Nigeria irrespective of sex and tribe by the year 2010.
Considering the fact that the education of females in Africa is attracting global attention in recent time some female are barred from acquiring formal education and in situation where they are allowed to attend school, a good number of them are later withdraw for one reason or another before completing school, it is a well –know fact that many parents in Africa give preferential treatment to the male especially in matters concern education. It is really sad that up till now in some societies female are still living in the shadows denied education and other right (Akponiro 2008).
In the same Vien Ukony (1989) opined that females have equal status as human being they are the main earthy sources of human existence and their contribution in economic and social political life in the society is paramount. Nkong further said that benevolent civilization and laws have generally remained more theories which dogmatic customs and improve on society over women, have emerged paramount.
The purpose of female education in Nigeria as identified by the national curriculum conference include.
- To enable female to make contribution in life
- To enable female to adopt themselves to the society
- To develop pride in human developments
- To enable female to be good citizen.
- Despite these efforts, evident still abound concerning low participation of females in science and technology education
Some reasons advanced for such low participation are:
i Certain task and job are traditionally associated with particular sexes.
ii Student depend more on their parents advice (Jegede 1984)
iii Males had more favourable attitude to wards integrated science than females (Odubunmi and Balogun 1981).
iv Most males tend to opt for all the basic science at school certificate level
