Trend Analysis of Gender Enrolment and Performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) Elective Mathematics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ajep.1689Keywords:
Elective Mathematics, Gender Enrolment, Participation, Students' Performance, STEM Education, Trend AnalysisAbstract
Purpose: This study looked at gender enrollment and performance in senior high school mathematics electives in the Ghanaian Cape Coast Metropolis.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive ex-post-facto design was used for the investigation. Within Ghana's Cape Coast Metropolitan Area, Ghana National College was carefully chosen using the purposive sample approach. Secondary data, or 6,820 students' results from 2016 to 2022, was gathered. A trend graph and descriptive statistics, such as percentages and frequencies, were used to analyse the data.
Findings: The results of the survey showed that more women than men took elective mathematics courses, with the proportion of students offering such courses rising from 45.2% in 2016 to 57.3% in 2022. The survey also discovered that pupils did exceptionally well in mathematics electives. It was noted that throughout the period, more female students than male students passed the elective mathematics course. Additionally, the trend analysis indicated that although female enrollment may decline, students' performance and enrollment in mathematics electives will continue to improve.
Implication to Theory, Practice and Policy: In order to increase interest in STEM education, the study suggested that the Ghanaian government offer more scholarships and incentives to individuals pursuing STEM degrees, particularly to women.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Yaw Efa, Dorcas Shiela Baiden, Kwabena Ofori Mensah, Dennis Offei Kwakye
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