Teachers' understandings of girls' inclusion in a Tanzanian secondary school

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study addresses the issue of girls' inclusion in a secondary school in Tanzania. Many girls in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, do not have the opportunity to attend secondary school although education is a basic human right. Gender discrimination is one of the major barriers to girls' attainment of higher education in Tanzania.The purpose of this study is to explore teachers' understandings of girls' inclusion at a Tanzanian secondary school. Data for this research was collected through individual and focus group interviews and observation in order to process meaning and understanding from participants. Although teachers were the primary focus of this study, girls and parents were also interviewed as key informants. Content analysis was the dominant method used to analyze the data.Findings from the study indicate that teachers in this context are representative of the prevailing structures of the social-cultural life where they impact girls' development in education. In addition, the socialization of girls contributes to the way girls perceive themselves, a situation they reflect from the existing social values.The study concludes by recommending that secondary school teachers and administrators, parents, community and religious leaders, and the government revisit socio-political structures that perpetuate gender stereotypes and discrimination against girls in secondary schools in Tanzania.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University