DETERMINANTS OF LOW PERFORMANCE OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN SCIENCE SUBJECT: A SURVEY OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE AOWIN DISTRICT

ABSTRACT The study set out to investigate the determinants responsible for the low performance of female students in science in the Aowin district. To achieve the purpose, the study was guided by five (5) objectives. Methodologically, descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The study employed quantitative approaches through the use of self – developed questionnaires. The female students in the five (5) educational circuits in the Aowin District participated in the study via responding to the developed questionnaires. In all, 375 female students were selected for the study using stratified and purposive sampling techniques. The obtained quantitative data analysis was analyzed using descriptive (means and standard deviations). The study revealed that factors responsible for low performance of female students in general are identified as: poor psychological state of the female students in the Aowin district, the teachers in the Aowin district attitude towards the learning of science and finally, the socio – economic background of the parents in the Aowin District. It was therefore recommended that Ghana Education Service in the Aowin District should be encouraged to source for sufficient science teaching – learning resource materials so that each student has a science subject taught. The idea would lead to better performance in science subjects at Junior High Schools in the Aowin District.