Attitudes toward science: an exploratory survey of pupils preparing for national examinations

bibliographic database
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Periodical article

Title:	Attitudes toward science: an exploratory survey of pupils preparing for national examinations
Author:	Shumba, Overson
Year:	1993
Periodical:	Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research (ISSN 1013-3445)
Volume:	5
Issue:	1
Period:	March
Pages:	62-89
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Zimbabwe Southern Africa
Subjects:	attitudes science education primary education secondary education education students
Abstract:	This article reports on the findings of a survey of the attitudes towards science of pupils preparing to sit for the November 1991 primary, junior secondary and high school level exit national examinations in Zimbabwe. The study was based on the assumption that monitoring the attitudes of students completing science courses can serve as a useful indicator of the success of science and technology curricula as well as an indicator of both scientific and technological potential and investment in the students. 627 pupils selected from Harare region comprised the sample for the study. Overall, science as a subject in the curriculum of the respondents does not appear to be disliked. Pupils at the lower grade levels exhibited a more favourable attitude towards science than pupils at the higher grade level. Differences in attitudes towards science were not detected when pupils were grouped according to gender. Implications for science educators and for further research are discussed. Bibliogr., sum.