Gender Perspective on the Study of Information Technology in Schools in Ghana: The Case of Ghana Communication Technology University

Abstract

Gender disparities in the field of Information Technology (IT) have persisted over time. Globally, women made up only 27.2% of IT workers in 2018. In the United Kingdom, only one in six IT specialists is female. Such extreme male dominance may result in a gender structure that influences women's experiences with IT work. Women face more challenges once hired, and they leave the field twice as fast as men. These disparities stem from a gamut of factors, including the misconception that women are weak in technology. Gender disparities in IT also find expressions in student enrolment numbers in institutions of higher learning. In Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), gender disparities in student enrolments are pronounced. In both diploma and degree programs, male students constituted about 90% of the student population. Using a qualitative method, the study randomly distributed open-ended questionnaires to forty students pursuing diploma and degree programs in IT at GCTU. Furthermore, the study randomly analysed the examination scripts of fifty students in the IT department from 2020 to 2023 to determine the gender patterns in their academic performances. In addition, the admission of students into GCTU to study IT programs from 2018-2023 was analysed to determine gender trends. The study concluded that there are ingrained gender perspectives of students both in terms of study and career prospects. The study recommends that GCTU should vigorously pursue a holistic integration of the study of IT to bridge the overt gender gaps.