Towards Achieving Gender Equality and Equity in the Provision of Education to the Girl Child in Selected Secondary Schools in Gwanda District

Abstract

The study sought to establish the challenges that inhibit the full participation of the girl child in accessing education in selected secondary schools in Gwanda District of Matabeleland South Province. The descriptive survey design was chosen for this qualitative study with a sample chosen through purposive sampling comprising ten (10) school heads, ten (10) senior women responsible for the welfare of girls and one hundred and twenty (120) school girls.  Data was collected through the interview technique and it (data) yielded the following as major challenges affecting the girl child’s participation in education; the need to take care of ill parents, siblings and relatives, dismissal on pregnancy, son preference, the need to offer hired and domestic labour among other reasons. The study recommends, inter alia, that pregnant students be allowed to continue with their education, ‘O’ level girl graduands be allowed to proceed to ‘A’ level with less points than boys, girls be provided with contraceptives and sanitary ware so as to equalize and justify educational opportunities.