FACTORS THAT DISCOURAGE STUDENTS TO MAJOR IN BASIC NATURAL SCIENCES: THE CASE OF KOTOBE COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Abstract

The paper,has·the purpose of identifying how seriously s!udents avoid BaSic Natural Sciences as major fields, identify those background variables that could influence students not to consider the sciences as major fields and, importantly, point out what factors contribute towards the swing away of students from the sciences . . The sample consists of students who studied science while in high school and'now are either in the Science fields or Non-Science fields where rio
science courses are being offered Analysis of the data gathered through a questionnaire and. the students' files in the Record Office of The Registrar, KCTE, Reveals that the problem is indeed very serious and that students' avoid Basic Natural Sciences because of problems related to the way they perceive The study condition, the subject matter, and certain variables related to themselves. Implications are discussed and recommendations are forwarded to alleviate the problem.