Gender Difference in the Prevalence of Learning Disabilities among Secondary School Students in Kano state: Counseling Implications

Abstract

The study investigated gender difference in the prevalence of Learning Disabilities (LD) among Secondary School Students in Kano State. Descriptive Survey design was employed in which rating scale named, Learning Disabilities Diagnostic Inventory (LDDI) was adapted and used to rate three hundred and eighty four (384) students (63% male and 37% female), drawn from 24 conventional public (50%) and private (50%) secondary schools via multi-stage sampling technique. The population of the study comprised 248,254 students in 404 schools. Three null hypotheses were postulated for the study and t-test statistic was used to analyze the data at 0.05 confidence. Results obtained from the analysis reveal significant difference in the prevalence of LD between male students in public schools and their male counterparts in private schools (t-cal: 4.690; t-crit= 1.676). Similarly, a significant difference was found among the female students (t-cal: 7.396; t-crit 1.676). However, no significant difference was found between male and female students (t-cal:0. 92; t-critical:1.676). This implicates that academic and emotional maladjustments may prevail among the students thereby resulting in low self-concepts, frustration and loss of confidence in school system. A major recommendation offered suggests the use of cognitive learning and free association techniques in counselling students with LD.