FACTORS INFLUENCING SECONDARY SCHOOL FEMALE STUDENTS CHOICE OF SCIENCE SUBJECTS IN NIGER STATE: THE NEED FOR COUNSELING

The major goal of this study is to investigate characteristics that influence secondary school female students choice of science disciplines and the need for counselling in Niger State, Nigeria. The study gathered data from 250 female respondents from five different girls-only secondary schools. The study took a quantitative method, with data collected via questionnaires. All ethical problems, such as obtaining permission for data collection from responsible authorities and maintaining respondent confidentiality, were adhered to. For data analysis, descriptive statistics were utilized. The study discovered that certain elements have a strong influence on female students decisions to pursue science topics and have sustaining power over female students choice and continuation of science subjects. The data reveal that the availability of suitable professors, peer groups, family background, IQ, student ability to access adequate instructional materials, and the lack of career guidance/counseling services all influence female students choice of Science topics. According to the report, parents and teachers should work together to guide and influence female kids to pursue science topics. To encourage more female students to pursue science, the government should work to ensure that there are enough Science teachers, adequate teaching and learning facilities in schools, including textbooks and equipment. Female Science students should be given more privileges, particularly in terms of accessing scholarships.Female students should be exposed to vocational counselling services, and educational practices that favour the girl child should be embraced and encouraged more so.