Gender Difference in Learning Mathemaitcs: A Case Study
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Department of Management
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
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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.