Browsing by Author "Makona, Tibus Raphael"

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    The study on the biological sciences and career aspirations of secondary school pupils in Mbeya region in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Makona, Tibus Raphael
    This study was aimed at examining the relationship between studying biological sciences and career aspirations of pupils in Tanzanian secondary schools. The study applied a cross-section survey research design. It was conducted in Mbeya Urban, Mbeya Rural, and Rungwe Districts in Mbeya region. The sample included 301 respondents of which 170 were male and 131 were female. Among them, 66 male and 81female were selected from Grade 11, and 104 male and 50 female from Grade 13. Questionnaires, annual examination results, and interview guides were used to elicit data from the respondents, which examined students’ career choices in biological and non-biological careers. The findings revealed that, the majority of Grade 11 students chose non-biological careers, and becoming a banker was the most preferred career. The majority of Grade 13 students chose biological careers, and medical doctor was the most preferred career. Majority of students with high, average, low marks as well as failures in Grade 11 chose non-biological careers. On the other hand, in Grade 13 majority of students with average and low marks as well as failures chose biological careers. Both sexes in Grade 11 had high preferences for non-biological careers but choices were slightly higher for females than males. Likewise, both sexes in Grade 13 had high preference for biological careers in the first order, but the choices were slightly higher in the second and third ranks for female. Basing on the finding of this study, it can be concluded that the majority of Grade 11 students had low preferences towards biological careers but the majority of Grade 13 students had higher preference for biological careers. Therefore, there is need to assist students to know the various careers available, opportunities, benefits, and challenges of each career for them so as to make better choices.