FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT PREPARATORY AND HIGH SCHOOLS LEVEL IN CASE OF WIROB WEREDA EASTERN ZONE AND TRIGARY REGIONAL STATE

0
464

FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT PREPARATORY AND HIGH SCHOOLS LEVEL IN CASE OF WIROB WEREDA EASTERN ZONE AND TRIGARY REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

This study focuses on the academic performance of students at preparatory and high school levels in Irob wereda, Eastern Zone, Tigray Regional State, which is located at 37 Km far to the East of Eritrean border. It assumed that the individual and combined results of family, socio- economic, psychological and school factors on academic performance of preparatory/high level students’ in the study schools. The specific objectives of this study were to assess the factors that affect the academic performance of students at preparatory and high school levels of wereda Irob. For the study 218 students, 29 academic staff, 9 wereda administration officials, 14 tabia local administration officials and 5 PTA were selected by using stratified random sampling technique based on probability proportional to their number or size in each class. Pretest structured questionnaires were used for collecting the essential data and the focus group discussion, personal in-depth interviewee, and personal observation were used to crosscheck the data collected through the survey.

The data were analyzed using descriptive methods. The results indicated that the academic performance of students’ in the study area was determined by a variety of factors. Among these factors, students’ related factors such as self-motivation, lack of adequate effort and carelessness, and self-confidence were the most prominent factors that affect students’ academic performance. Moreover, on-availability of support system, lack of proper reading place, presence of role models, estimated income of the family’; parents attitude towards students education and household work responsibilities factors had a significant impact on students’ academic performance.

However, educational background of the family; occupation of household head; basic sanitation facilities; and presence of sources of support other than family and employment opportunity for educated students did not significantly affect the students’ academic performance. Therefore, policies should deal with academic performance of students and combating cultural, economic, psychological and institutional factors. In general, creating awareness through training on the benefit of education for all society members can greatly enhance the performance of students.

Furthermore, arranging special tutorial classes for students on regular bases for all subjects and creating conducive environment for private language school establishment to alleviate some of the challenges affecting students’ academic performance. Therefore, it was suggested that Parents, Irob wereda Education Bureau and high and preparatory schools should be more practical in this area of improvement.

Key words: Irob Wereda, Academic performance, Students, Teachers, Parents, and secondary school.

1.1. Background of the Study

Chapter One

Introduction

School, colleges and universities have no worth without students (Irfan & Shabana, June 2012). Students are most essential asset for any educational institute. The social and economic development of the country is directly linked with student academic performance. The students’ performance (academic performance) plays an important role in producing the best quality graduates who was come great leader and manpower for the country thus responsible for the country’s economic and social development (Ali et.al, 2009).

Student academic performance measurement has received considerable attention in previous research, it is challenging aspects of academic literature, and science student performance are affected due to social, psychological, economic, environmental and personal factors. These factors strongly influence on the student performance, but these factors vary from person to person and country to country (Ali et.al, 2009).

FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT PREPARATORY AND HIGH SCHOOLS LEVEL IN CASE OF WIROB WEREDA EASTERN ZONE AND TRIGARY REGIONAL STATE

FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT PREPARATORY AND HIGH SCHOOLS LEVEL IN CASE OF WIROB WEREDA EASTERN ZONE AND TRIGARY REGIONAL STATE