Gender Difference in Learning Mathemaitcs: A Case Study

Abstract

The main concern or area of this study was “Gender Difference in Learning Mathematics: A Case Study”. The objectives of the study were to analyze the causes of gender difference in mathematics learning at secondary level and to identify the strategies taken by the schools for minimize the gender difference in mathematics learning. This study was based on case study approach under qualitative research method.This study was based on Kawasoti Municipality-16,Nawalparasi district. This study was bounded on only Shree Janata Higher Secondary School of Nawalparasi district.This study was focused only class nine and ten students of secondary level.This study was based only the responses of six mathematics students (3 boys & 3 girls) for case respondent, and also this study was selected students' parents and two mathematics teachers for interview.In-depth interview, classroom observation, document reviews were used as tools for data collection. The researcher was observed mathematics classroom for one weeks.Collected information were analyzed and interpreted with the help of conceptual framework and linking with theoretical construction. This study found that, lack of teachers' biasness in the classroom, gender discrimination, male dominated society & social belief, lack of parents' concentration towards their children education, cultural & custom, household workload at home, lack of parents' support and also culture feast and festivals are the causes of gender differences in mathematics learning at secondary level.Also, this study found that, to provide equal opportunity for boys and girl in mathematics learning at home & school, to use local language in mathematics teaching/learning at school, creating good learning environment at home for the students, to improve the school policies, to provide scholarship for the students which family’s economic condition is weak are viii the main strategies for minimize the gender difference in mathematics learning.Since the local culture is female oriented and the girls had household workload than boys. Girls had no enough time to practice mathematics and the household works were given priority than their study. Although, the learning environment of girls in home was not satisfactory. So, girls do not better in mathematics than boys, thus, gender difference was found in mathematics learning environment in home.Since, the local culture is patriarchal society; all of the household workload was responsibilities of girls. So, girls have not good performance in mathematics.