DIFFERENTIAL PERFORMANCE OF PUPILS IN BASIC EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF JONGA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, KPONGU JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND PISI JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN WA MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The performance of pupils in Basic Education Certificate Examination has in recent times become a worrisome national issue such that the future of the nation's human resource is under a threat. A majority of these failures come from public schools in underserved rural communities and the urban poor suburbs in Ghana where distribution of the nation's resources is apparently minimal. It is however interesting to find two sets of schools with similar characteristics, yet differ in terms of academic performance. This phenomenon form the basis of this study which delved into the issues that occasion the differential performance of pupils in BECE between Kpongu and Jonga Junior High School on one hand, and Piisi Junior High School on the other in the Wa Municipal of the Upper West Region. Using ex-post facto approach, three main questions were asked. Probability and non probability sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Relevant literature was reviewed whiles focus group discussion, administered and self administered questionnaire were used to collect data. The research found out among other things that the respondents have positive disposition to education, however there were inadequate commitment to work by teachers of the two poor performing schools relative to the good performing one. Inadequate teaching and learning materials, inadequate infrastructure, lack of commitment from both parents and pupils, poor monitoring of the pupils in school and at home. There's urgent need to embark upon education of both parents and pupils at PTA meeting so that they can show more commitment to their children's education. The study suggests that the 'stick and carrot' approach should be used to get teachers' commitment to work.