An Analysis of Gender Differential Item Functioning of Basic Science and Technology Basic Education Certificate Examination in Borno State, Nigeria

This study examined gender-based Differential Item Functioning (DIF) in the Basic Science and Technology (BST) items of the 2021/2022 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) administered by the Borno State Education Board in Nigeria. Recognising the pivotal role of BST in preparing students for science education at higher levels. The study investigated whether the test items were equitable across gender lines. A survey research design was employed, using probability proportional to sample size technique to sample 3557 students’ scripts from 51948 scripts of students who sat for BECE BST subject across 27 Local Government Areas in Borno State. The Mantel-Haenszel chi-square method was used to analyse DIF between male and female examinees. The results indicated that 77 out of 80 multiple-choice items and 9 out of 10 essay items were free from significant gender bias. Only three multiple-choice items and one essay items exhibited DIF against male students. The findings conclude that the majority of the BST items were fair and functioned equally across genders. The study concludes that the 2021/2022 BECE BST assessment was largely equitable and recommends that education boards enhance pre-testing and item review processes to further promote fairness and gender sensitivity in assessments.