ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF GENDER ON BASIC SCIENCE STUDENTS’ INTEREST AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SOME SELECTED SCHOOLS IN ETCHE LOCAL GOVENRMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of gender on Basic science students’ interest and academic achievement in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study employed the descriptive and explanatory design. The study population was 600 and the sample size of 150 students, covering three schools in Etche Local Government Area. Three research questions guided the study. The data was analyzed using the mean and standard deviation which was presented in frequency tables and percentages. The researcher developed questionnaire titled: effect of gender on science students’ interest and  academic  achievement  in Basic  science in Etche Local  Government Area (EGSSIAABSELGA). The  findings of this study  revealed  that  gender has a  significant  effect  on science  students’ interest   and  achievement  in  Basic science. Therefore, teacher should try to make science  learning  interesting  by using  teaching  methods such as  inquiry/discovery methods also the teacher should give equal attention to the male and the female students; there should be no discrimination on the basis  of gender.