ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS FOR GENDER STEREOTYPES: A CASE OF YIRGA CHEEFFE HIGH SCHOOL DILLA ZONE OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the factors for gender stereotypes in the case of yirga cheeffe high school, Dilla zone of southern Ethiopia. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed. This study was a descriptive type of research that used a cross sectional design for data collection. The techniques used were questionnaires, observation and interviews. The questionnaire was administered for 220 grade eleven and twelve students at cheeffe high school using simple random sampling. The qualitative instrument constituted of interview for twelve. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS 21, mean, standard deviation, range, independent-sample t-test. The result of this study revealed that there was statically significant difference between [t = 1.311, p < 0.05] of both sexes towards gender stereotype. This indicates there was gender stereotype in yirga Cheeffe School that affect the students’ academic achievement. On other hands, interview report revealed that there were background culture of students, unfavorable attitude of teachers, providing unfair mark to male students and society view towards female students, low involvement of female students are the main factors for gender stereotype in school. In conclusion, the majority of problems female students encounter and those factors that affect female students’ academic achievement are school-based factors. Moreover, we can conclude that teacher and students attitudes directly or indirectly impede female students from achieving. Based on the finding some of recommendations were suggested. Parents, junior and high school practitioners and school counselors need to help follow up and encourage their students to work in collaboration of schools and practitioners in the school. Both teacher and society or community should provide exaltation when female students perform well in academic achievement.