Gender and technology: perceptions of high school students Towards ICT careers in selected secondary Schools in Nairobi County
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Date
2013-11-12
Authors
Thua, Josephine Nyambura
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to find out the perceptions of Secondary school students towards
lCT careers in Nairobi County. The main focus was on the factors influencing boys and girls in
the selection of subjects and careers in selected secondary schools in Nairobi County. The study
was prompted by the noted major gender divide that exist in Science Technology Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) careers. As a result, the Information and Communication Technology
sector has continued to be male dominated while women continue to be under represented. The
general objective of the study was to determine the factors that explain gender differences in the
selection of STEM subjects and lCT careers in secondary schools in Nairobi County. A gender
schema theoretical framework as proposed by Sandra Bem (1981) was used to understand how
girls construct, perceive and understand themselves in relation to their male counterparts in terms
of technology. The study employed a descriptive survey design. Purposive and simple random
sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents for the study. Interview guides and
closed and open-ended questionnaires were the main data collection instruments for the research.
Both qualitative and quantitative techniques guided by research objectives and research
questions were used to analyze data. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of the themes and the
coding technique while frequencies and percentages were used in the analysis of quantitative
data that was collected. The study established that, student subject selection is influenced by
myriad factors including, influence from parents, teachers and peers. However, performance
history of the subject, marketability of the careers associated with the subject and awareness
significantly contributed to subject selection. There was preference of boys and girls towards
Science, Mathematics and Technology subjects and careers, with engineering course being
preferred by boys while girls tended to prefer medicine and business courses. The perception of
the boys and girls towards ICT careers is positive and both boys and girls are capable of taking
ICT careers, however, there was preference by gender towards particular lCT careers, boys
tending to prefer hardware and engineering related while girls preferred software and data
processing careers. Finally dissemination of information on K'T careers in the job market,
seminars, conferences and invitation of lCT experts will influence the perception of taking
computer studies in KCSE and attraction to ICT. The study recommends that, secondary schools
should create awareness on the lCT careers through invitation of women and men who are lCT
experts to market and encourage girls towards ICT careers.
Description
Department of Gender and Development Studies