CHALLENGES OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN LEARNING PHYSICAL EDUCATION: THE CASE OF HARAR AND ABADER SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HARAR CITY, HARARI REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the current status and challenges of female students learning in physical education activities in Harar and Abader Secondary Schools in Harar City and make recommendations for their participation. The main issues considered are females in sport activities, physical education as an academic discipline, gender issue, curriculum and finally the factors that affect female students in physical education learning. To this end, descriptive survey method was employed. The study are carried out on 2 secondary schools that were selected using random sampling techniques from 4 secondary schools of harar city . The study also involves 100 female students selected randomly from grade 9 and grade 10 and 6 PE teachers purposely selected from the 2 schools. Questionnaire is used for data collection. The data gathered have analyzed using the collected data is presented in a table form and analyzed using percentages & chi-square crosstab. There is a significant difference in achievement between male and female students. Female students like better skills development, to have more female teachers and other sporting role models. The deterrent 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. On the other hand, from out of school factors, lack of time to study at home lack of parental support , low level of parental education were identified as same of causes for challenges of female students in learning physical education in Harar city. Hence, it is recommended that depending on the results of findings, concerned bodies such as parents, teachers, directors have to encourage that female students should 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, to involve teachers curriculum experts in curriculum development, to overcome the problems that affect female students from xv learning in physical education activities through awareness to give regular counseling for female students on the bases of their performance and interests.