Causes of Low Enrollment of Girls in Optional Mathematics

Abstract

This study intended to find out the causes of girls student's low enrollment in optional mathematics at public secondary school in Sindhupalchok district. This study was survey type and used the data that are both qualitative and quantitative in nature. The student's oppinionnaire form, interview question for subject teacher and head teacher and school administrative records were the main instruments. Likert 5 point scale was included in opinionnaire. Hundred twenty students (60 taken from optional mathematics and 60 taken from other optional subject), 10 Head teachers and 10 Subject teachers of 20 public schools of Sindhupalchok district were taken as sample of the study. Various statistical tools such as percentage and test were used to analyze the data collected from attitude scale and administrative records. Family related factors (educational status, economic status and negligence of parents), student's (self) related factors (student's own interest, poor prior achievement and negative thinking towards mathematics) and neighbouring factors (school environment, teacher's behaviour and trends of society) were analyzed by descriptive way. After the analysis and interpretation of the obtained data information the researcher found that the low enrollment of girls students in optional mathematics at secondary level was strongly associated with educational status of family, poor prior achievement and student's own interest. Other variables family job/ occupation, economic status, peer group influence, school environment, social influence and teacher's behavior also played vital role to low enrollment of girls students in optional mathematics.