Gender inequality in vocational education in Uganda: a study of vocational institutions in Lira district

Abstract

The study investigated Gender Inequality in Vocational Institutions in Lira District. This was in line with the fact .that while the Government of Uganda was committed to the attainment of Gender Equality in Vocational Institutions as a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) by 2015, the attainment ofthis goal has shown a slow progress particularly in Vocational Institutions. The study therefore established the extent to which Vocational Institutions were gender responsive in their training programmes. The study had five specific objectives: to examine gender issues in Vocational Institutions, to assess the influence of gender issues on student; (a) enrolment, (b) retention, (c) completion and (d) transition in Vocational Institutions; to assess the influence of gender issues on the teaching staff in Vocational Institutions; to find out the causes of gender inequality m Vocational Institutions; and to recommend strategies to eliminate gender inequalities 111 Vocational Institutions. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design . of quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data using semi-structured questionnaires administered to a sample of 264 respondents comprised of 187 .Students, 61 Instructors/Teachers and 16 Principals, both male and female. The study established that, there was an understanding and consideration of socio-cultural factors underlying sexbased discrimination to provide the female and male students with equal opportunities for their pa.rticipation in the Vocational training ·process, although some of the issues examined such as budgeting did not strongly encourage students to enroll, be retained, and to complete Vocational training. The main causes of gender inequality were cultural segregation, discouragement, poor administration, negative attitudes, low self-esteem, cultural beliefs, shying away and the nature of tasks assigned to Students and . Staff in Vocational Institutions. The study made recommendations for the strategies of eliminating gender inequality which were good administration, provision of equal opportunities to every member, elimination of culturally biased beliefs/attitudes/feelings/perceptions on training programs and activities, sensitization of staff and motivation of girls among others