Students’ attitudes and aspirations towards learning science at the secondary stage in Kuwait

الملخص EN

This study explored students’ attitudes and aspirations toward learning science in the State of Kuwait, specifically their perspectives on their attitudes toward learning science and the science curriculum at the secondary stage.

The study used a multi-method design, with both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect the data: students’ questionnaires and semi-structured interviews.

The study sample was selected at random.

First, a questionnaire was conducted with 441 students, then 16 students were chosen to be personality interviewed.

The findings from the questionnaires and interviews indicate that most of the students hold generally negative views about learning science.

They feel distanced from some of the topics and have difficulty in understanding many of the lessons, and consequently they do not enjoy studying the subject of science.

The science curriculum was built up without taking into consideration the needs of Kuwaiti students.

There are topics in the science curriculum that are not relevant to their daily lives or their needs.

Most of the students don’t want to continue studying the science specialty.

This study recommends considering the perspectives of the students, and addressing the relationship between the content items of the science curriculum and students’ needs, integrating more relevant science content in order to engage the interest of students with science relevant to their lives, needs, interests, and future education as citizens of the State of Kuwait