Factors influencing the enrolment of students for science subjects among secondary schools in Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan

Abstract

The study aimed at identifying the factors that influence the enrolment of students for science subjects and strategies that can be used to improve the enrolment with the view of improving the population of science students in Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan. Descriptive survey research design was employed in the study. The Population comprised all senior secondary school students in Oluyole Local Government Area. Nine (9) secondary schools were randomly selected, Ten (10) students per class per selected school (SS1 – SS3) were randomly sampled making two hundred and seventy (270) students. Two hundred and four (204) questionnaires were retrieved for data analysis. Reliability coefficient of 0.817 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha test. Data were analyzed using frequency count and percentages. The results showed that 71.6% of the respondents were not willing to study science subjects due to the teachers influence through method of teaching: 55.8% agreed that their parent/guardians strongly influenced their career choice. 58.2% felt that they cannot do well in science, 52.4% did not think they can acquire skills taught in science. It is recommended that stakeholders in education should ensure that qualified science teachers are employed in secondary schools and those science teachers should from time to time attend seminars, workshop and conferences to update their knowledge of science methods and processes. Parents and teachers should motivate students to enroll for science subjects by exposing them to various career opportunities available in science study and so change their perception of science education.

Keyword: Enrolment: Science subjects, teacher, parent