PERCEIVED CAUSES OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STUDENTS IN SELECTED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined the perceived causes of gender differences in the academic performance of Financial Accounting students in selected senior high schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The study adopted the descriptive survey design, 231 students and 100 teachers of Financial Accounting were surveyed. The study revealed that differences in the academic performance of Financial Accounting students is as a result of the factors such as male students have higher cognitive abilities and higher average IQs than females, female students have high personal aptitude and put in much effort in school work than males, males have better study skills than females, females students seek guidance and counseling services than females and females students are not motivated to pursue financial accounting at higher level of learning. Some of the measures that can be employed to bridge the gap between the academic performance of males and females in Financial Accounting include the fact that accounting educators and career counsellors should brief Financial Accounting teachers on what is required to effectively educate both genders. Again, there is also the need to promote understanding of gender differences in accounting performance so that early measures may be taken to avoid gender imbalances in education that can result in low economic growth and increase in social unrest. Therefore, it is recommended that that teachers should adopt appropriate teaching and learning resources and materials to facilitate student understanding as well as encouraging the students to put up their best during instructional process. Keywords: Academic performance, gender differences, Financial Accounting