| dc.description.abstract | The study sought to examine the influence of gender differences on attitudes towards
vocational education for selected vocational institutions in Luweero district, Uganda. The
objectives of the study were; to examine the social – cultural factors that influence the male
and female students attitudes towards vocational education, assess the male and female
attitudes towards vocational education, to assess how the institutional factors influence male
and female participation in vocational education and to analyse the differences in
participation of male and female students in vocational education and training. The study
used the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The study was carried out in selected
vocational institutions in Luweero District, Uganda. Random sampling was used for student
respondents, purposive sampling for the Ministry of Education officials, heads of institutions
and vocational teachers. Two sets of semi-structured questionnaires with open and close
ended questions were used. Qualitative data was analysed through content analysis whereas
quantitative data was analysed using frequency tables and percents at the univariate level
while the Students T-test was used at the bivariate level and the statistics were computed with
the help of the statistical packages for social scientists (SPSS). From the findings this study
found that; the social-cultural environment still has an influence on the attitude of the
students, the male and female students’ attitude towards vocational education is positive;
there are no significant differences in attitudes between male and female students towards
vocational education. Many vocational institutions lack facilities in their environment needed
for effective vocational teaching and learning. There was a lack of physical energy needed in
some courses which limits the female students from enrolling on such courses. Other limiting
factors include; confidence, commitment and encouragement that incline the female students
to act in certain ways towards vocational education. The study recommends that the
government through the Ministry of Education and Sports together with the Ministry of
Gender Labour and Social Development should encourage vocational institutions to work
closely with the employers, lay strategies for them to collaborate to improve the attitude of
girls and boys towards vocational courses. More funding should go to vocational institutions
to improve facilities, build more vocational institutions, lay strategies such as mentoring
programmes to attract more girls to vocational fields, awarding scholarships and exchange
programmes with foreign countries. | en_US |
