Investigation into the challenges facing female students participation in sports at Zamse Senior High and Technical School

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out female student’s access and participation in Sports and to suggest appropriate measures that address the challenges that militate against female’s participation in secondary school sports in Zamse Senior High technical form 1 and 2. The objectives were to; find out female students knowledge about the importance of sports to their health and well-being, explore major challenges that affect female students’ access and participation in Sports in Zamse Secondary/Technical School and to suggest appropriate measures that address the challenges that militate against female’s participation in secondary school sports in Zamstech. The study utilised the descriptive survey design. Simple random sampling technique was employed to sample 200 students from the school to respond to a researcher-designed instrument. Pie chart, bar chart and frequency distribution tables were used to analyse the responses based on all three research questions. The results suggest that all the respondents have low knowledge on the importance of sports to their health and well-being. The result also showed that negative attitude of physical education teachers, large class size, inadequate school facilities and equipment, socio cultural practice and religious practice do not enhance female students’ participation in sports as well as teaching of physical education lessons. The study concludes that female students will participate in sports if supported by their parents. It was recommended that school authorities should provide equipment and facilities in schools, physical education teachers should make presentations on the importance of females’ participation in sports during PTA and staff meetings, Physical education teachers should create awareness on female students, apply student centred teaching approach in order to motivate (encourage) female students in both practical and theoretical lessons.