Gender equality: An assessment of gender differences on undergraduate students’ academic achievement and Causes of Gender Gap in Education

Abstract

This study determined the gender difference in academic achievement of male and female undergraduate students; and causes of gender disparity enrolment in University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised of 389 first year students of the University. The 389 students were also used as the sample of the study. A questionnaire titled “Causes of Gender Gap in Education” was used to collect data while the students’ Cumulative Grade Point Average results of 2017/2018 General Studies (GST 101 and GST 102) were used as students’ academic achievement. The validity of the questionnaire was reviewed for face and content validity by two experts in Measurement and Evaluation, and Guidance and Counselling. Cronbach Alpha technique was used to determine the reliability coefficient of 0.84. Percentage, standard deviation and mean were used to answer the research questions while independent t-test statistics was used to test the hypothesis. The result revealed that there was no significant difference in the academic achievement of the male and female students; there was a gender gap in enrolment which favored males and the causes of the gender gap amongst others include ignorance and lack of awareness of the value of girls’ education; early marriage and teenage pregnancy. It was recommended that there should be public enlightenment by the government and non-governmental organization to address the need for gender equality in Universities in terms of enrolment so as to bridge the gender gap in education.

Keywords: Assessment, Gender, Gender Equality, Academic Achievement, Education