Assessment of effects of wapangwa culture on girls education in Ludewa district cases of mount Masusa and chief Kidulile secondary school girls

This study on the assessment of effects of Wapangwa Culture on girl’s education was carried out in Ludewa District. Specifically the study aimed at finding out the effects of Wapangwa cultural practices on girl’s secondary school education. The study was based in two secondary schools randomly selected out of 21 secondary schools in the study area (Ludewa district). It involved 192 respondents comprising of 120 students, 24 teachers, 40 parents, 4 heads of school, 3 village leaders and a District Secondary Education Officer. Respondents who are the key informants were interviewed using semi structured interviews, questionnaires, and Focus Group Discussions were also employed to obtain the required information. Results show that the common cultural and gender roles stereotypes for girls affect girl’s education and academic performance in secondary schools. Findings further show that although, the number of rural girls who are enrolled in secondary schools is increasing in the study area, their risk to drop out was asserted to be higher than that of boys. Girls were mostly engaged in domestic chores thus eroding their study time. Initiation rites in association with pregnancy, early marriages and truancy were noted to add to the girls’ poor education contributing factors. The study further revealed additional factors that explain the state of affairs that inhibit girls’ opportunities to attain secondary education. Among the common factors mentioned include the long held aspects of parents and community attitudes towards girls’ education, traditional beliefs, practices and other cultural attitudes regarding gender roles as well as perceptions on females’ abilities in formal education. In view of findings the study recommendations include involving the community in developing education policies; having a well developed policy of having girls boarding school or hostels in all schools where girls are enrolled; sensitizing the community and parents in particular on negative effects of gender roles stereotyping and initiation ceremonies; reforming school culture of segregating girls from boys by establishing different types of school clubs such as debate clubs involving both sexes; developing counseling programs for parents on rights of the girl child and strengthening school committees to address challenge on changing mindset on girls education.