Exploring the Influence of Gender, School Locality, and Type of School on Science Achievement among Secondary School Students

Jocyline Thokchom, Aribam Dhaneshwari Devi, Laishram Arjun Singh, and
Laishram Nirtish Singh
Manipur University, Manipur, India

Pages:  441-450

 This study investigates the influence of gender, school locality, and type of school on
the science achievement of secondary school students in Manipur, India. Employing a
descriptive-normative survey design, the study sampled 1,195 students from 20
secondary schools affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, during
the 2022–2023 academic session. The Science Achievement Test, constructed and
standardised by the investigators based on the NCERT post-pandemic class 8 science
textbook, was used as the primary tool for data collection. The results revealed significant
differences in science achievement in relation to gender and type of school, with male
students and those studying in private schools performing better than their counterparts.
However, no significant difference was observed in science achievement based on school
locality. By focusing on science achievement and addressing a regional gap in
educational research in North East India, particularly Manipur, this study provides valuable
insights into contextual and institutional factors affecting students’ achievement. The
findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions that consider gender
and school type to ensure equitable and improved learning outcomes in science
education.