Female Role Models in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the Improvement of Female Enrolment in Stem Based Programs in Technical Secondary Schools

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the degree to which providing STEM female role models by school administrators can improve female enrolment in STEM based programmes in technical secondary schools in the North West Region of Cameroon. Methods The theoretical underpinning of this study was informed by Albert Bandura's Social learning theory, Sandra's Bems Gender schema theory and Greg Becker's Human capital theory. The study employed the convergent parallel design whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a questionnaire for students, interview guide for principals and focus group discussion for female role models in STEM. A sample of 132 students, 14 principals and 4 female career women in STEM were purposively and conveniently selected from 14 technical high schools in the region thus bringing the total number of participants to150. A Spearman rho test was used to verify the degree to which providing female mentors' increased female enrolment in STEM. The hypothesis was tested at a significant level of 0.05. on the other hand thematic analyse was use to analyse qualitative data.Findings Spearman's rho test shows a result of r=.763, p=0.05. The implication is that the provision of female role models has a strong positive effect on the enrolment of female students in STEM. Content analysis reveals that female role models improve enrolment as the female students see them a mentors and they motivate them to become like them.Recommendation career women in STEM should motivate, mentor, train and advocate for more girls in STEM. Nkwelle Genevive Esong | Endeley Margaret Nalova | Kongnyuy Patrick Wanyu "Female Role Models in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the Improvement of Female Enrolment in Stem Based Programs in Technical Secondary Schools" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-8 | Issue-4 , August 2024, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd67132.pdf Paper Url: https://www.ijtsrd.com/humanities-and-the-arts/education/67132/female-role-models-in-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-and-the-improvement-of-female-enrolment-in-stem-based-programs-in-technical-secondary-schools/nkwelle-genevive-esong