Strategies for Bridgering Gender Gap in Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) Education for National Development

Lydia Markus

doi:10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n7p61

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) education to national development. The role of women in STM education to national development was discussed. The State of female enrolment in STM in comparism to that of their male counter part was looked into in some Nigerian institutions. It revealed a low enrolment of females to that of males. It went ahead to discuss the barriers to female enrolments in STM education as well as the possible ways of over coming these barriers. Recommendations were made on how to promote females participation in STM and related courses amongs, which is the provision of adequate security in all institutions of learning, especially for the female students, to keep them safe from being kidnapped, abducted or sexually abused by evil men. As this will solve the problem of parents not sending their daughters to school for fear of them being harmed or losing them completely. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n7p61

Highlights

In the last century resources have been allocated in many parts of the world for developing curricula in school science, which were directed to the need for more scientists that can promote national development
This mode was reflected in the National policy on Education when it recommended an enrolment ratio of 60:40 in favour of STM and related courses in higher institution of learning (Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004)
Technology and Mathematics education is very crucial to the development of any nation, and given the fact that female is the mother of nation, her education in science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) place her in a better position to facilitate the development of her nation

Summary

Introduction

In the last century resources have been allocated in many parts of the world for developing curricula in school science, which were directed to the need for more scientists that can promote national development. In the light of this, Nigeria as a developing country has emphasized the education of its citizens in science, Technology and Mathematics (STM). This mode was reflected in the National policy on Education when it recommended an enrolment ratio of 60:40 in favour of STM and related courses in higher institution of learning (Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004). Since national development has to do with ability to harness all the available resources, human, material or economic to bring out the potentials of a nation, there has to be improvement in well-being This requires the elimination of hunger and poverty and providing gainful and productive employment for all the citizens. It is against this background that this paper examined closely the factors responsible for the poor enrolment of female in STM and how to solve it

The State of Gender Enrolment in STM Education

Problems of Female Enrolment in STM Education

Strategies for Bridgering the Gap

Conclusion

Findings

Recommendations