Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess Gender Disparities in access education opportunities in secondary schools Case of Ilala City Council, Dar es Salaam. The objectives of the study were to examine the perception of the community regarding gender disparities in accessing secondary education in Ilala city council, to reveal the barriers faced by girl-student in accessing secondary education in Ilala city council and to proposed strategies to overcome gender disparities in accessing education in Ilala city council. Cognitive Social Learning Theory guided the study in which the scholars influenced by this perspective argue that by nature all people prefer be accepted by fellows as good partners. The study used a mixed method approach in data collection. The data collected by conducting interviews to teachers and students, documentary review, and questionnaire for students, and teachers from public secondary schools in Kinondoni Municipality. Data were analysed by descriptive statistical analysis and presented in tables. The study revealed that, girl-students in visited secondary schools mostly affected by social-cultural believes. The study established that, visited students are victims of early marriage and discrimination from the community they live. In addition, violence against women observed as among the factors for gender disparities among visited secondary schools. The students found themselves in difficult situation when they asked for having love affair with their teachers. In summary, the girl-students in visited schools subjected to unfriendly learning environment which discouraging to concentrate in their studies. Furthermore, most of visited students affected by girls’ roles at home. The other revealed barrier was early marriage. The study established that, some of students get pregnancy at early age before joining form one. In summary, the learning environment in visited schools discouraged girl-students to concentrate on their studies. The major challenge observed in environment was unfriendly toilet and absence of rooms for girls. Finally, the study established that, guidance and counselling service is very important in visited schools. In addition, the respondents suggested practices such as motivation, creation of awareness, improving of parenting and provision of girls’ scholarship.