Sociocultural Practices and Achievement of the Girl-Child in Biology and Mathematics among Rural Secondary School Students in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

It has been observed that sociocultural practices are related to students’ achievement in core subjects.  There is need for establishing this empirically. This study therefore investigated the relationship between sociocultural practices and achievement of the girl-child in Biology and Mathematics in senior secondary schools in rural areas of Katsina State, Nigeria. The exposure of the girl-child female in rural secondary schools to sociocultural practices was also studied.  A sample of five hundred and thirty-four (534) rural secondary school female students was selected using stratified and purposive random sampling procedures from the three senatorial districts of Katsina State. Data were collected with the use of Biology Achievement Test. (BAT), Mathematics Achievement Test, (MAT) and Sociocultural Questionnaire Practice of Girl Child, (SSCQPGC). Findings indicated that sociocultural practices of the girl-child have significant positive relationship with girl-child achievement in Mathematics. Similarly, it was revealed that sociocultural practices of girl-child have positive relationship with girl-child achievement in Biology. Findings further showed that 410 (76.8%) of the rural secondary female students underwent genital mutilation. 378 (70.8%) preferred their parent arranging marriage for them, Also 379 (71%) of the rural secondary school female students agreed to the choice to marry early among others. It is therefore recommended among others that the government should sensitize the communities therefore recommended among others that government should sensitize the communities on the negative impact of some sociocultural practices girl-child education.