The International Journal of Multicultural Education vol 1, No 1 of 2007 based at the University of Lagos, Nigeria
has published a research article which should be of interest to the gender and education researchers in Kenya. The article is entitled “Teaching of Literary Texts as an antidote for the confidence barrier to Secondary Schoolgirls learning of Science in Kenya”. The authors are Kenedy Onyango Asembo (currently a curriculum specialist at Kenya Police College) and Dr. Joseph Malusu, (a lecturer at Kenyatta University).
The article, is centered on a research on the novel “The River and the Source” written by Margaret Ogola. The research was carried out in Migori District, Nyanza Province Kenya between 2000-2002. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence the novel has on secondary schoolgirls learning of science in Kenya having been introduced as a secondary school set book in 1998 to counter gender stereotypes. The novel explores themes directly related to enhancing women’s’ image as scientists. The study adopted two research designs, a descriptive survey of tens schools followed by a case study of two schools. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, classroom observations and were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study found that the novel stimulates secondary schoolgirls to have confidence in learning science subjects. The study recommends that apart from finding a suitable replacement for the novel since it has already been phased out, the government should commission the writing of literary texts whose themes explore competence of women in science subjects for use in both primary and secondary schools.
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