Motivation for female students to study physical science subjects in higher learning institutions in Tanzania: a case study of college of natural and applied sciences, University of Dar es Salaam

The purpose of the study was to explore the aspects that motivate female students to study Physical Science subjects in institutions of higher learning in Tanzania. The specific objectives were; to identify the sources of motivation for female students to study Physical Science subjects at the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam and to identify motivational challenges that female students face in their course of studying Physical Science subjects. The study employed a qualitative research approach with elements of quantitative approach and utilised descriptive case study design. The study was conducted at the College of Natural and Applied Science of the University Dar es Saalam. A total sample of 90 respondents was randomly selected. The instruments used were a questionnaire, semi structured interview and focus group discussion. The data were analyzed by using the content analysis and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings reveal that, female students’ motivation to study Physical Science subjects comes from various sources including parents, teachers and role models found in the science carriers, female students got prior knowledge or information about Physical Science, government sponsorship, societal and cultural value perspectives, reinforcement and rewards from peers and colleges. All these sources contribute to motivate female students to pursue Physical Science subjects in higher learning institutions. Also the study revealed that the motivational challenges facing female students reduce the interest and desire of studying Physical Science subjects such as shortage of lecturers, shortage of learning resources, erratic availability of job opportunities, society norm in relation to Physical Science subjects and limited gender equality. From the study findings it is recommended that, parents and teachers should apply regular, proper and appropriate motivational skills to female students so as to inspire them pursue Physical Science subjects from the lower education level. The effective use of female role models to motivate female students is highly needed. The government should establish specific initiatives through which to provide more knowledge and/or information about Physical Science issues to encourage and motivate more Tanzanian females to study Physical Science subjects at different levels of education. This could be done through the introduction of various relevant programs or campaigns and training. The government should also work hard to eliminate the motivational challenges by retaining lecturers and relevant professionals in higher learning institutions and providing learning resources. Further researches should be carried out to study on the means that female Physical Science students use to curb the motivational challenges in higher education level, to change area of the study or by adding a number of colleges and to change respondents such as female professors, doctors and other female professionals in the field of Physical Science subjects.