ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS SCIENCE AT SECONDARY LEVEL IN RURAL AND URBAN SCHOOLS OF JAMMU

This study investigates the attitude of secondary-level students towards science in both rural and urban schools in Jammu, aiming to assess the influence of gender and geographic location on students' perspectives. A sample of 200 students was selected from four rural and four urban schools in Jammu. The research utilized a standardized "Attitude Towards Science" scale developed by Dr. Savita Mishra. The findings suggest that students in both rural and urban areas have a generally positive attitude towards science, but urban students display more favorable attitudes in specific domains such as scientific inquiry and career aspirations. Gender differences were also significant, with female students showing more interest in adopting a scientific attitude. The implications of the study provide insights for policymakers and educators to enhance science education, particularly by addressing the specific needs of rural students.