Students’ Subject Choice in Secondary Schools in Tanzania: A Matter of Students’ Ability and Interests or Forced Circumstances?
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Date
2014-08
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Scientific Research
Abstract
This study aimed at providing answers to two key questions: 1) Which subjects are most preferred
by students in secondary schools? 2) What are the reasons behind the students’ interest, or lack
thereof, in particular subjects? The study employed qualitative methodology using a multiple case
study holistic design. The students in the studied schools served as the unit of analysis. The study
involved a sample of 18 secondary schools that were purposefully selected. Data were collected
using focus group discussions, observation and documentary review. The analysis involved the
use of the Miles and Huberman’s model of qualitative data analysis. The findings show that the
majority of students in secondary schools preferred arts subjects notably because of the challenges
they experience in learning science. The reasons for students preference of a particular
subject included the inspiration from significant others, commitment and support provided by the
subject teachers, the availability of teachers and their teaching approaches and relevance of the
subject to their daily life experiences. On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that the
government should create a conducive learning environment, especially for community secondary
schools, that will allow students to select subjects on the basis of their ability and intere
Description
available online at:
http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=49042
Keywords
Students’ Subject Interest, Teaching Approaches, Learning Environment
Citation
Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2014, 2, 49-56