Experiences of girls in physical education activities in selected secondary schools in Mongu district, Zambia.
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Date
2015
Authors
Imanga, Mwambwa
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Abstract
Concerns about gender and girls’ participation in physical education worldwide has reached a peak.Worldwide,the importance of girls’ learning of Physical Education has been recognized (Beutler,(2008),David,2012). Based on this, the study sought to investigate experiences of learners (girls) in Physical Education in three selected secondary schools of Mongu District. The objectives of the study were to: explore experiences of learners (girls) in Physical Education, establish the benefits of
Physical Education to girls and ascertain challenges faced by teachers and learners in the teaching and learning of Physical Education in Mongu District. A sample of 9 teachers and 30 learners (girls) was purposively drawn from three secondary schools in Mongu District. Descriptive phenomenological research design was utilised. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions, and non-participant observation. Data was anlysed using interpretative phenomenological
analysis (IPA). The study found that teachers’ and learners’ experiences in Physical Education were good and interesting because it positively empowered them with various long life physical skills such as sporting. The study also revealed benefits of Physical Education to teachers and learners (girls) such as creation of some
recreation opportunities, provision of an interactive and socialization atmosphere, enhancing of communication skills, encouraging and shaping of career employment aspiration, improvement of health well-being, and learning affective domain, development of selfiesteem and confidence and improvement of academic performance.
Furthermore, the study revealed that teachers and learners (girls) faced some challenges in Physical Education such as lack of teaching and learning equipment, lack of modern school physical facilities, lack of trained personnel, and negative attitudes from stakeholders like parents, and the Government, with the latter offering insufficient funding or not at all. Others are inadequate time, overcrowding of classes and lack of local role models in schools. In view of the foregoing, the study recommended more sensitization campaigns through the holding of educative workshops in the teaching and learning of Physical Education, purchasing of relevant
teaching and learning materials, incorporating the teaching and learning of Physical Education for teachers at University and college levels in order to enable them fully utilise available, Physical Education facilities in schools, empowering schools with funds to purchase the much needed modern and well equipped school Physical Education resource bank.