GENDER ISSUES AND CHALLENGES AS IT AFFECTS STUDENTS READING COMPREHENSION

Abstract

This paper is an examination of gender issues and challenges as it relates to students reading comprehension in Abakaliki Education zone of Ebonyi state. The descriptive research design was utilized. Two research questions guided the study. The target population was 2000 SS 3 students. A sample size of 100 students (43 females and 57 males) was selected through the simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Scores obtained from the reading comprehension administered to them was also used for analysis. Simple percentages was used to answer research questions one while the T-test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference in the mean scores of the male and female students. The study found that female participants had statistically significant higher reading comprehension score (68.34 ± 9.57) at the end of the reading comprehension test, compared to the male participants (52.58 ± 11.31), p<0.00. It also showed that girls performed better in English Language than other subjects while boys performed better in science subjects. It was recommended that the government and stakeholders in the education sector should create gender equitable policies that will enable all girls have uninterrupted right to learn.