Gender performance and attitudes toward mathematics in BUSCEP students at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane

[摘要] After Mozambique became independent from Portugal, the main aim ofthe government policy towards education was to create equity ofopportunity to enter the formal education system for different social,gender and age groups. However, females are still under-represented inhigher education particularly in courses which require an extensivemathematical background. Thus, the purpose of this study was, to explorepossible gender differences in performance and attitudes towardmathematics among 1996 BUSCEP students at Universidade EduardoMondlane. Those students were tested on several affective and cognitivevariables, using a questionnaire and tests. The results suggested thatgender performance and attitudes towards mathematics tend to besimilar, and the inequalities found, were more evident in theparticipation in mathematics related careers. These findings emphasisethe need to further examine the interrelationships between gender andcareer choices which should be conducted with students from thesecondary school.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand