New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies Pub Date : 2021-05-10 , DOI: 10.1007/s40841-021-00203-6 Bibhya Sharma , Swasti Narayan , M. G. M. Khan , Bijeta Kumar , Robin Havea , Joel B. Johnson , Mani Naiker
As with other Pacific Island nations, the scientific efforts of the Kingdom of Tonga have been hampered through a lack of local scientists and science graduates. As observed globally, the region appears to face a steady decline in student interest and achievement in science, resulting in reduced uptake of science subjects in schools and universities. This study aims to provide insight into the attitudes of Tongan senior secondary students toward science, using the validated Test of Scientific Related Attitudes (TOSRA) instrument. The sample population comprised 2636 students of approximately 15–18 years of age, from 26 schools across Tonga. Overall, the mean attitudes of Tongan senior secondary students toward science were lower than that previously observed for Australian secondary students (Grades 7–10) and Fijian senior secondary students. A significant reduction in attitude was found between forms 5 and 6 for female students from rural areas, but not those from urban areas. No significant changes across different form levels were found for male students. The greatest difference between students’ perspectives was found for the normality of scientists, which may be indicative of cultural views toward this topic. Combined with the similar results of previous research in Fijian students, this may point toward broader differences in the attitudes toward science between students in Pacific Island countries more generally.
中文翻译:
同安高中生对科学的态度
与其他太平洋岛国一样,汤加王国的科学努力因缺乏当地科学家和理科毕业生而受到阻碍。从全球范围来看,该地区的学生对科学的兴趣和成就似乎一直在下降,导致学校和大学对科学科目的学习减少。这项研究旨在使用经过验证的科学态度测试(TOSRA)仪器,洞察汤加高中生对科学的态度。样本人口包括汤加各地26所学校的2636名大约15至18岁的学生。总体而言,汤加高中生对科学的平均态度要低于先前观察到的澳大利亚中学生(7-10年级)和斐济高中学生的平均态度。对于农村地区的女学生,在表格5和6之间的态度明显降低,而城市地区的女学生的态度则没有。在男生中,在不同形式水平上没有发现显着变化。发现学生观点之间的最大差异在于科学家的常态,这可能表明对该主题的文化观点。结合先前对斐济学生的研究的类似结果,这可能表明太平洋岛国学生对科学的态度存在更广泛的差异。发现学生观点之间的最大差异在于科学家的常态,这可能表明对该主题的文化观点。结合先前对斐济学生的研究的类似结果,这可能表明太平洋岛国学生对科学的态度存在更广泛的差异。发现学生观点之间的最大差异在于科学家的常态,这可能表明对该主题的文化观点。结合先前对斐济学生的研究的类似结果,这可能表明太平洋岛国学生对科学的态度存在更广泛的差异。