Students’ academic performance is a key feature in education. This study was therefore conducted primarily to assess the factors contributing to improvement in academic performance of Junior High Students (JHS) in a Basic School which is in the Gomo-East District in the Central Region of Ghana. The mixed and descriptive research design was used and a sample size of 87 respondents (79 students and 8 teachers) were selected through random sampling technique.
The findings revealed that the average academic performance (47.0%) of the JHS students in the Basic School is weak and their performance in Mathematics (average score of 31.48%) and English Language (average score of 39.99%) is a fail. It was noticed that student factors that contribute to an improvement in academic performance include; regular studying, self-motivation, punctuality and regular class attendance, hard-work and interest in a subject. The teacher factors were completion of syllabus, use of TLM’s, frequent feedback to students and given students special attention.
Per the findings, parent factors which was very key was parent showing concern in their children’s academics and providing them their academic needs. School factors that were significant included availability of text books and TLM’s. The study also found that parent level of education and gender has a positive relationship with academic performance but it’s insignificant. However, age has a positive significant (5% significance level) relationship with academic performance.
Based on findings, the study recommends that there should be strict monitoring on teachers to vary their teaching methods to suit their needs of the students and also to provide the students with constant feedback on their academic performance. Again, the students should be motivated and orientated to take ownership of their studies by having regular studies and attending school during school days.
Table of Contents
- CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Background to the Study
- 1.2 Statement of Problem
- 1.3 Purpose of the Study
- 1.4 Research Objectives
- 1.5 Research Questions
- 1.6 Justification of the Study
- 1.7 Significance of the Study
- 1.8 Scope of the Study
- 1.9 Limitation of the Study
- 1.10 Delimitation
- 1.11 Organization of the Study
- CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
- 2.0 Introduction
- 2.1 Definition of Key Concepts
- 2.2 Factors contributing to academic performance
- 2.2.1 Student factors which contribute to academic performance
- 2.2.2 Teacher factors which contribute to academic performance
- 2.2.3 Parent factors which contribute to academic performance
- 2.2.4 School factors which contribute to academic performance
- 2.2.5 Level of parents' education and academic performance
- 2.2.6 Gender and academic performance
- 2.2.7 Age and academic performance
- 2.3 Educational Structure in Ghana
- 2.4 Theoretical Framework
- 2.4.1 Production Function Approach (PFA)
- 2.5 Conceptual Framework
- 2.6 Empirical Review
- CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- 3.0 Introduction
- 3.1 The Research Approach
- 3.2 Research Design
- 3.3 Data Collection and Data Needs
- 3.4 Source of Data
- 3.4.1 Data Collection Tools and Procedure
- 3.5 Population for the Study
- 3.6 Sample and Sapling Procedures
- 3.7 Model Specification
- 3.7.1 Dependent Variable
- 3.7.2 Independent Variables
- 3.8 Quality Data
- 3.8.1 Reliability and Validity
- 3.9 Data Presentation and Analysis
- 3.10 Ethical Considerations
- 3.11 Study Area
- CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
- 4.0 Introduction
- 4.1 Presentation of Results
- 4.1.1 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
- 4.2 General Academic Performance of JHS Students at Gomoa Manso
- 4.2.1 BECE Results of Xxxxx School
- 4.2.2 Terminal Results of JHS students at Xxxxx School
- 4.3 Student, Teacher, Parent and School factors that contribute to academic performance
- 4.3.1 Students Factors
- 4.3.2 Teacher Factors
- 4.3.3 Parent Factors
- 4.3.4 School Factors
- 4.4 Multivariate analysis of determinants of academic performance
- 4.4.1 Gender and Academic Performance
- 4.4.2 Parents Level of Education and Academic Performance
- 4.4.3 Students age and Academic Performance
- 4.5 DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
- 4.5.1 What is the general academic performance of JHS students at Xxxxx School?
- 4.5.2 What are the student, teacher, parent and school factors that contribute to an improvement in academic performance?
- 4.5.2.1 Student Factors
- 4.5.2.2 Teacher Factors
- 4.5.2.3 Parent Factors
- 4.5.2.4 School Factors
- 4.5.3 Does parent level of education, student age and gender has an impact of academic performance?
- 4.5.3.1 Gender
- 4.5.3.2 Parents Level of Education
- 4.5.3.3 Students age of Education
- Impact of student factors on academic performance
- Role of teacher, parent, and school factors in academic success
- Influence of parental education level on student outcomes
- Effect of gender and age on academic performance
- Analysis of these factors using multivariate analysis.
- Student Factors: Intrinsic characteristics and behaviors of the students themselves.
- Teacher Factors: Teaching methods, teacher qualifications, and classroom environment.
- Parent Factors: Parental involvement, educational background of parents, and home environment.
- School Factors: Resources available at the school, school policies, and overall school climate.
Objectives and Key Themes
The study aims to identify factors contributing to the improvement of academic performance among junior high school students. It investigates the influence of various factors on student achievement.
Chapter Summaries
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter sets the stage for the research, introducing the background of the study, the problem statement, the purpose, objectives, and research questions. It also details the study's justification, significance, scope, limitations, and delimitations, providing a clear roadmap for the entire research process.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of existing research and theoretical frameworks related to academic performance. It defines key concepts, examines various factors influencing academic success (student, teacher, parent, and school factors), and explores the impact of parental education level, gender, and age. It also discusses the Ghanaian educational structure and relevant theoretical perspectives, such as the Production Function Approach (PFA), establishing a firm foundation for the study's methodology and analysis.
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: This chapter outlines the research approach, design, data collection methods, and sampling procedures employed in the study. It details the data sources, tools, and analysis techniques, ensuring transparency and rigor in the research process. The chapter also addresses issues of reliability and validity, ethical considerations, and the study area, providing a clear and comprehensive explanation of the methodology used to gather and analyze data.
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS: This chapter presents and analyzes the collected data, offering a detailed examination of the results. It explores the demographic characteristics of the respondents, general academic performance, and the influence of student, teacher, parent, and school factors on academic achievement. Furthermore, it delves into multivariate analyses to determine the impact of gender, parental education level, and student age on academic performance, providing comprehensive insights into the key research questions.
Keywords
Academic performance, Junior High School, student factors, teacher factors, parent factors, school factors, parental education, gender, age, Ghana, multivariate analysis, BECE results.
Frequently Asked Questions: Factors Contributing to Academic Performance Among Junior High School Students in Ghana
What is the overall purpose of this study?
This study aims to identify and analyze the factors that contribute to the academic performance of junior high school (JHS) students in Ghana. It investigates the influence of various student, teacher, parent, and school-related factors on student achievement.
What are the key themes explored in the research?
The research explores the impact of student factors, the role of teacher, parent, and school factors in academic success, the influence of parental education level, the effect of gender and age on academic performance, and the analysis of these factors using multivariate analysis. Specifically, it examines the relationship between these factors and students' performance on the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and their terminal JHS results.
What is the structure of the research report?
The report is structured into four chapters. Chapter One provides an introduction, including background, problem statement, objectives, and research questions. Chapter Two presents a literature review, defining key concepts and examining existing research on academic performance. Chapter Three details the research methodology, including the research design, data collection methods, sampling techniques, and data analysis plan. Chapter Four presents, analyzes, and discusses the research findings, including descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses.
What factors are investigated as potential influences on academic performance?
The study investigates a wide range of factors, categorized as:
What type of research methodology is used?
The study employs a quantitative research approach using a specific research design (not explicitly stated, but implied to be a survey or similar method based on data analysis techniques described). Data is collected using specified tools and procedures, and the analysis involves both descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis to assess the relative impact of different factors on academic performance.
What data collection methods were employed?
The research details the use of specific data collection tools and procedures (these are not explicitly specified in the preview but are stated as a part of the methodology). Data sources include (but are not limited to) student records and potentially surveys or questionnaires.
What type of data analysis techniques are used?
The study utilizes multivariate analysis to examine the combined effects of multiple factors on academic performance. Descriptive statistics are also used to present the data and demographic characteristics of the respondents.
What are the key findings anticipated (based on the outlined structure)?
The study anticipates providing insights into the general academic performance of JHS students, identifying significant student, teacher, parent, and school factors affecting academic achievement, and determining the impact of gender, parental education level, and student age on academic performance. Specific findings would be presented and discussed in Chapter Four.
What is the geographic scope of this study?
The study is geographically focused on Gomoa Manso, Ghana, and specifically examines data from Xxxxx School within that location. The selection of this specific location and school is explained in the methodology section.
What are the limitations of this study?
While not explicitly detailed in the preview, the study will likely have limitations related to sampling procedures, generalizability of findings, and potential biases in data collection or analysis. These limitations would be discussed within the report.
- Quote paper
- Anthony Abaidoo (Author), 2018, Factors contributing to academic performance of students in a Junior High School, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/450284
