Abstract:

An overview of the engineering profession in many developing world showed that it is regarded as exclusive domain of the male-child. Thus it has negatively impacted the image of engineering, as it is almost sacred and unsuitable for the female gender. This research assessed the factors affecting the career choice of girls in secondary schools with special focus on engineering. This was achieved by the distribution of detailed questionnaire form to the senior grade (SS1 to SS3) students of secondary school in Southwestern Nigeria. It further focused on two categories of secondary school viz: government owned, and privately owned institution. Besides both day-school and boarding-school were considered. Data on Family background, cultural factors, superstitious belief, capacity, counseling, mentorship and individual factors were collected, collated, sorted and analyzed. Statistical software was employed in the analysis and presentation of data. Consequently, the research made far reaching conclusion and recommendation that may aid government and education policy to mitigate the acute shortage and low enrollment percentage of the girl-child in engineering departments and development in Nigeria.

Keywords:

Secondary school system, Engineering profession, Girl-child Education, Engineering education.