IMPACT OF GENDER AND RELIGION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGE AND LEARNERS’ CARE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS: A MODERATION ANALYSIS
| Authors | Contact |
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Stella Oluwakemi Olatunbosun Postdoctoral Research Fellow, SARCHI: Education and Care in Childhood Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa |
stellao@uj.ac.za ORCiD: 0000-0002-3103-9544 |
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Jace Pillay SARCHI: Education and Care in Childhood Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa |
jacep@uj.ac.za ORCiD: 0000-0002-9432-6014 |
Abstract
This study examined the moderating roles of gender and religion on the relationship between age and learners perceived care in selected primary schools in Oyo State, Nigeria. Underpinned by Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, the study utilised correlational research design. The population of the study consists of learners in primary schools in a selected Local Government Area (LGA) in the sampled State. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting the study’s sample (394 learners). The Learners’ Perceived Care Questionnaire (LPCQ) (α = 0.81) was used in collecting data for this study. The data collection process was for three (3) months (November 2024 to January 2025). The data collected for this research were analysed using descriptive (frequency counts and percentages, mean and standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis) and inferential (Hayes macro process V4.0, Model 2) statistics, Null hypotheses were tested at a 5% level of significance. Findings showed that learner’s age does not impact their perceived care within classroom and school contexts. Also, there is no substantial variation in learners’ perceived care due to the interaction or moderating influence of gender and religion. The study recommended among others that education policymakers and schools should emphasise that care should be based on individual learner needs rather than demographic characteristics, and that primary schools should continue to implement policies that support equal care and support for every learner regardless of gender or religion.
Keywords
Gender, Moderation analysis, Perceived care, Primary school learners, Religion.
