Gender Disparities in the Enrollment and Attainment of Primary Education Among Adolescents in Ado Local Government Area, Ekiti State

The study investigated gender disparities in the enrollment and attainment of primary education among adolescents in Ado Local Government, Ekiti State, Nigeria. This study examines the extent of these disparities, identifying key socio-economic, cultural, and policy-related factors that contribute to lower enrollment and completion rates among girls compared to boys. This study employed descriptive research of the survey type to investigate gender disparities in enrollment and attainment of primary education among adolescents in Ado Local Government. The population of this study consisted of primary school students within Ado Local Government. The sample for the study comprised 200 respondents selected from 10 primary schools from Ado Local Government using simple random sampling technique. Stratified sampling technique was used to select Twenty students from each school Ado Local Government of Ekiti State. The instrument used to collect data was Titled; Gender Disparities in the Enrollment and Attainment of Primary Education among Adolescents (GDEAPEA). To ascertain the validity of the instrument, copies of the questionnaire were given to experts in Test and Measurement in the Faculty of Education Ekiti State University to ensure the face and content validity. The data collected through questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and means. It was revealed from the findings that gender disparities exists in the enrolment and attainment of primary education among adolescents in Ado Local Government, Ekiti State. The findings also revealed that the factors contributing to the lower enrolment and completion rates of girls compared to boys in primary education in Ado Local Government ranges from household poverty, long distances to school, cost of schooling, Parental attitudes towards education and Existing government policies. Based on the findings it was recommended that equal opportunities should be given to both male and female students when considering the enrollment ratio. It was also recommended that there should be poverty alleviation programmes for parents and schools should be cited close to residential for ease access