UNPOPULARITY OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS AT SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL IN BOTSWANA

Abstract

This case study responds to a growing concern among educationist of the gender imbalance in subject allocation at secondary school level particularly in practical subjects such as Design and Technology (D/T), Art and Home Economic. The focus of this particular study was however in design and technology at senior secondary school level with perspective to investigate the unpopularity of D/T among the female students. The study was carried out at the two senior secondary schools in Botswana and involved teachers and students as participants. Expressly, the study set out to assess the general factors deterring the girl child from selecting D/T as a subject of their choice and to find out why girls doing Design and Technology selected it. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaire. The study found out that there are several factors contributing to the girls attitudes towards Design and Technology such as; Traditional believes, family influence, career influence, personal interest, personal experience and gender.  Findings suggest that girls lack career guidance since schools do not provide the services that will encourage them to select practical subjects and this is the reason why we find enrolments dominated by boys in Design and Technology in secondary schools. Based on the findings it was recommended that schools should engage in more robust career guidance to enlighten the girls about male dominated subjects.