IMPACT OF GENDER ROLES ON EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EDO STATE

This study investigated the impact of gender roles on educational opportunities among senior secondary school students in Edo State, Nigeria. It focused on how cultural beliefs, family decisions, economic factors, institutional practices, and curriculum content influence access to and participation in education. A descriptive survey design was used, and data were collected from 208 students through a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that cultural and social norms still favor boys’ education over girls’, as family decisions and economic challenges often prioritize the boy child. Girls were found to bear heavier domestic responsibilities, which affect their school attendance and performance. Institutional factors such as teacher attitudes and classroom practices also reinforced gender bias, while the curriculum lacked adequate representation of both genders. The study concluded that gender roles significantly shape educational inequality in Edo State through social, cultural, and institutional influences. It recommended community sensitization, financial support for female students, gender-sensitive teacher training, and curriculum reform to promote equity in education.