Gender differences in students’ attitude towards biology subject in secondary schools in Mukono Municipality Uganda

Abstract

The study analyzed the gender differences in students’ attitude towards biology subject in secondary schools in Mukono Municipality. The study analyzed the gender differences in students’ attitude towards biology subject in secondary schools in Mukono Municipality. Two main objectives were the main focus of our investigation and these include to; i) examine the gender difference in career preferences of students in biology subject and ii) determine the gender differences in enjoyment of students during biology lessons. The study was guide by the Self-perception theory with the view that differences arise due to attitudes within males and female students. A sample size of 297 students was used under descriptive cross-section survey and determined by Krejcie and Morgan tabulation. The information was collected using a questionnaire and the findings were analyzed using SPSS software by running the t-test for the independent samples. The findings reveal high differences for females in career preferences as compared to male students. On the second objective, males expressed higher difference of enjoying biology lessons as compared to female students. The study concludes that the differences are due to home and school environments; and above all, the nature of students as a person. It recommends the need to increase biology facilities in schools in order to bridge the difference.