A study of pupils attitudes associated with performance in science subjects in selected secondary schools in Tanzania
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Date
1983
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study was designed to probe into problems emanating from attitude factors which may have an influence on the learning and performance in Science subjects among secondary school pupils. The main purpose of the study was to find out whether the parental education background had any influence on the development of positive attitudes to science subjects. The study further sought to find out whether the development of positive attitudes were also related to the sex of the pupil, type of school and the location of school. Main attitude areas investigated during the study were: (1) The development of positive attitude to science as a school subject in relation to parental educational background, (2) Development of positive attitude to science as related to pupil’s interaction with others at school. (3) Development of attitude about difficulty of science subjects, (4) Development of attitudes about interest in science subjects and(5) Development of attitudes related to science and career in science oriented occupations. The sample population was drawn from secondary schools in Mbeya, Iringa, Dar es Salaam and Coast Regions. A total of 480 pupils, 316 boys and 164 girls were included in the sample. Data was collected through a questionnaire and documentary evidence. A chi-square (X2) station was used to test for significance in the null hypotheses. The findings of the study showed that there was a significant relationship between parent positive attitudes to science subjects. The findings of the study showed that there was significant relationship between parent educational background and the development of positive attitudes to science subjects. The relationship was such that lower educational attitude to science subjects on the child. Pupils in the rural boarding secondary schools were found to be coming mainly form less educated parents and thus they portrayed less positive attitude to science subjects. While pupils from urban secondary schools were mainly coming from more educated parents and thus they portrayed more positive attitude to science subjects. Development of attitude about difficulty in science subjects was found to be related with the sex of the pupil. Girls found science subject to be more difficult than boys. Interest in science subjects and in science career was found to be related with the sex of the pupil and the location of school. The findings also showed that pupils from urban schools wee more interested in science subjects than pupils from rural schools. Finally summary, recommendations and suggestions for further study in the area of attitudes were drawn up in chapter five.
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Available in print form
Keywords
Science, Study and teaching (Secondary), Tanzania, Education, Secondary
Citation
Komba, B-J.M(1983) A study of pupils attitudes associated with performance in science subjects in selected secondary schools in Tanzania, masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx)