ADDRESSING THE POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN THE KUMBUNGU DISTRICT

Abstract

This particular project examines the poor academic performance of students at the basic school level. Examinations of all kinds including the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BEC E) are seen to be compulsory and also been used as a basic entry requirement into the Senior High School (SHS) level. However, there is generally been poor performance in the selected schools. This is attributed to teachers’ inability to complete their respective subject syllabuses and less contact with PTA and the affected schools. In view of this, this project was undertaken to identify and describe the home and school factors that contribute to poor academic performance of JHS students, in order to develop an action plan based on the identified schools in the Kumbungu District. Also, the project will implement the action plans with the aim of improving the academic performance. Case study was adopted as the research design for this project. With a sample size of 80 respondents, the data was collected using instruments such as questionnaires and interview guide. The project found that: parents were aware of the basic school needs. Almost all the teachers were unable to complete the syllabus on their respective subject area. The circuit supervisors were found to be leaders in influencing teachers’ positive performance, It was recommended that, since parents were aware of the basic school needs they should in their own efforts try as much as possible to provide their wards their educational needs to make them comfortable to study and to perform better in their examinations. The schools should organise in-service training to make them judicious in their respective subject syllabuses so as to ensure that they complete their syllabus in time so as to put the students in very good positions in passing their final BECE. Since the circuit supervisors are considered leaders in influencing teachers’ performance, the schools in collaboration with the appropriate educational authorities should ensure adequate provision of logistics to support circuit supervisors so as to make them more effective. Interventions such as providing adequate motivation for teachers for effective extra-tutorials, correcting lesson notes, encouraging students to join study groups as well as regular supervision of class tests were identified as ways for addressing the challenges leading to poor academic performance.