Abstract:
The major purpose of this study was to investigate the current status and challenges
of female students learning in physical education activities in Hadiya zone of preparatory
schools, and make recommendations for their participation. The main issues considered are
females in sport activities, physical education as academic disciplines, gender issue, and
curriculum and finally the factors that affect female students in physical education learning.
Descriptive survey method was employed. The study was carried out on 3 preparatory schools
that were selected using random sampling techniques from 8 preparatory schools of Hadiya
zone. The study also involved 200 female students selected randomly from grade 11 and grade
12, 5 teachers and 3 school directors purposely selected from the 3 sample schools.
Questionnaire, observations, and interview were the instruments used for data collection. The
data gathered were analyzed using the collected data were presented in a table form and
analyzed using percentages. There was a significant difference in achievement between male
and female students. Female students like better skills development earlier at preparatory
school and to have more female teachers and other sporting role models.. Parents tend to
promote sport for boys more than they do for female students and female students were
neglected due to household work. The different factors for female students were; sport being
too competitive feeling inadequate due to lack of skill acquisition playing with or being
watched by boys, treated low body image. Hence, it is recommended that depending on the
results of findings, concerned bodies such as parents, teachers, directors etc have to
encourage that female students can participate in physical education and sport activities, to
give equal opportunity and access in education with their male counter parts, increasing the
number of female physical education role model teachers to encourage and participate female
students
