Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.This study was conducted to investigate what the perceptions of Career Guidance Counselors were
toward young girls and High Status Subjects. The study was underpinned by the work done by a
number of researchers in other countries.
These researchers all proved that the subjects Mathematics and Physical Science were not gender
biased and girls could do as well as boys. The subject packages girls chose at the end of their grade 9 year would have an impact on possible career choices they could make after the completion of
grade 12. The study also seeks to explore reasons why girls were not choosing these subjects and if
the Career Guidance Counselors were actively encouraging the girls to take these subjects.
The study was a qualitative one using interviews based on questionnaires. The answers were
carefully recorded and decoded. The Career Guidance Counselors were interviewed at their schools in the central Durban area. The schools selected were those fortunate enough to have counselors on
their staff. Many schools do not have Career Guidance Counselors as they are unable to
accommodate them with their limited resources.
The study found that at many schools there was little if any encouragement from the Guidance
Counselors to enter these subjects in grade 10. The two schools that did encourage their female learners to select these subjects found that their learners achieved very well. This study will show
that urgent intervention needs to be made if our young girls are to take their rightful place in our society in a number of high status occupations
