FACTORS AFFECTING THE PARTICIPATION OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS: THE CASE OF METTA WOREDA SECONDARY SCHOOL, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to show up factors affecting the participation of female students in PE class in Metta Woreda Secondary school. To conduct the study, which is both quantitative and qualitative descriptive survey design was used with mixed approaches are used. The sample size were determined by Slovene’s formula from population study consisted of 504 female students which were 223 female students respondents participants, 5 physical education teachers and 6 school principals drawn from the three high schools. In the selection of the sampling population, random sampling techniques for students and purposive sampling technique selected for Physical education teachers and school directors were selected on the basses of availability of sampling technique. The data instruments were questionnaire, interview, and focus group discussion. This study finding of the study evidences the participation of female students in physical education class. The study findings also indicate absence of support as gap in addressing female students’ issues in physical education. The benefit which the female students are getting was recorded very low and low. The participation of female students is under several factors that resulted unequal participation between them in metta in general and the study area in particular. Among other factors, lack of family guidance, lack of female encouragement, socio-cultural factors, early marriage, house hold responsibilities and the existence of little research in the area as well as the failure to conduct schools advice at all levels. Regarding teaching methods of physical education, mostly students respond poor approach of the teacher for the female students. Required Resources like martial and equipment found very low in the school. The result clearly showed that there are many factors, which hinder the female participation in PE classes. Female students’ experience many and varied barriers to participating in physical activity. These include lack of time, socio-cultural influence, lower economic status, body image, safety and lack of support, lack of appropriate educational system. To this end, develop the awareness of the society, doing interactively with the stack holders, using appropriate teaching biological factors, providing the required facilitates, society must encourage female students to engage in different PE class can help in improvement of participation of female students