A study of the access for girl students to science group at the secondary level

Low enrollment of girls in science is a general concern for everyone. It seems that girls are not getting full advantage from the study of science. This study is aimed at developing a better understanding of the issue of low participation in science at the secondary school level. The qualitative study was conducted in two urban schools, a government girls\u27 school and private co-education school. In this study twenty girls (ten from science and ten from the arts group), five parents, four teachers and two head teachers were interviewed. Participant observation and informal talks were also used for data collection. In order to crosscheck information, a triangulation approach was used. The findings of the study show that there are certain factors, which support and inhibit girls\u27 selection in the science group. The study suggests that the number of supporting factors were less than the hindering factors. The main supporting factors include: high status of science education, inspiration from role models, preference of science graduates in the job market. The main inhibiting factors were: students\u27 perception of science subjects as difficult, school policies regarding admission in science group, home environment/low economic status of parents and the custom of early marriage in communities. Some others factors were also noted. The study puts forward certain recommendations to deal with the issue so that the number of girls be enrolled in the science group, at the secondary school level may increase