Challenges faced by Women in Pursuing Higher Education, a Case Study of Takoradi Polytechnic and Holy Child College of Education, Takoradi

Abstract

This study was undertaken to ascertain the challenges women face in pursuing higher education with particular references to Takoradi Polytechnic and Holy Child College of Education. The target population consisted of all women pursuing tertiary programmes and women administrators in both institutions. The accessible population was made up of selected women offering different programmes of study and selected women administrators. Purposive sampling technique was used to select one hundred and forty students ( seventy from each institution ) whiles the simple random technique was used to select ten women administrators for the study ( Five from each institution ). In all, the total sample size used was one hundred and fifty (150). The main research instruments used in gathering data were questionnaire and interview guide. The study was guided by four research questions. The study revealed that Women pursuing higher studies are faced with a number of challenges but not all of them have impacts on their studies. Four of the challenges which impacts negatively on their studies include: Lack of proper time management; Balancing marital work with academic work; Lack of financial support and Poor learning environment at home

Key words: African feminism, challenges, motherhood, higher education