Publication:

Factors that affect choice of physics subject in girls' schools in Limuru Sub-County.

The importance of physics as a basis for technology is obvious although the number of students taking physics as their choice in secondary school is declining. This study sought to determine the factors influencing the choice of physics among female students in public secondary schools in Limuru sub-county. The study was guided by the following objectives: i.) To determine the attitudes of the girls towards physics; ii.) To establish the status of career guidance and counselling services in secondary schools and its impact on the girl’s choice of physics; iii.) To explore the role played by the school administration in subject selection process among girls; iv.) To determine teacher related factors that influence girls’ choice of physics. The findings of the study may be useful to policy makers in the education sector to help put policies in place, which may increase the number of female students who choose Physics in Limuru sub-county. To guide the study, literature on student factors, teacher influences and school environment factors that influence the choice of Physics was reviewed. The study adopted mixed method research approach that combined descriptive survey design and semi structured interviews to collect data on factors that influence the choice of physics in public secondary schools in Limuru sub-county. The study found that the female students were influenced in their choice of Physics through their career goals, their poor attitude towards Physics, their perception of Physics as difficult, poor study habits, poor previous performance and their gender. The study also found that teachers influenced the female students’ choice of Physics through their missing of classes, poor relationship with students, unsuitable pace of content delivery and poor methods of teaching. The study finally found that school environment influenced the choice of Physics by the type of school and the availability of laboratory equipment. The study concluded that students, teachers and school environment characteristics influenced the choice of Physics among female students in Limuru sub-county. The study recommended that female students should be encouraged and given opportunities to develop positive attitude towards Physics. Further, the study recommended that the teachers should cultivate a good relationship with the female students to improve the students’ negative attitudes. Finally, the study recommended that schools should ensure that their environment is favourable for Physics by establishing laboratories, which are well equipped with learning materials for practical lessons. For further research, the study recommended that another study be done to evaluate the influence of parents in the choice of Physics among female students in Limuru sub- county.