* A gender analysis of the educational achievement of boys and girls in the Jamaican education system

The study aimed to examine the role that gender plays in boys’ and girls’ development, performance and outcomes in school. The findings indicated that “while boys lag behind in attendance and literacy, girls also performed below average and grade appropriate levels”. Focus group discussions with parents, students and teachers revealed insensitivity in the classroom environment, where teachers “delivered telling blows to children’s egos and contributed to their lack of energy and enthusiasm to participate in and attend school” and teachers’ limited knowledge, understanding and training related to the emotional needs of boys and girls.The study also highlighted that “traditional gender socialization messages contribute negatively to boys’ and girls’ educational achievement”. Focus group discussions revealed that girls are expected to perform better in classrooms because they have been socialized to follow directions and listen to teachers. On the other hand boys were expected to misbehave, be tough, which results in them being more severely punished and more often.