Assessing students’ performance in English language in second cycle institutions case study of Gushegu senior high school

Abstract

Many students in Senior High Schools are delayed from progressing in their studies to higher levels simply because of their inability to obtain a qualified grade in the English Language examination. This is so because the subject is a very important requirement in obtaining admission into any tertiary institution in the country. The main objective of this study was to find out the factors affecting the students’ performance in English Language in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Gushegu Senior High School. As a result, the study used case study as a research design in collecting data and the analysis thereof. The units for analysis were the Teachers, Students, the Head of Department and the Assistant Headmaster for academics of Gushegu Senior High School. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using frequency tables, percentages, pie charts and graphs. From the analysis, the study revealed that the factors affecting the poor performance of the students in English Language in the school were lack of qualified teachers of the subject, inadequate time allocation for the subject, inadequate teaching and learning materials, and inability of teachers to cover the teaching syllabus before the final examination. The study also focused on composition, comprehension, grammar and summary as aspects of the English Language students have challenges in understanding and hence, perform poorly in the subject during the WASSCE. Based on the findings, recommendations such as school authorities liaising with the Regional Directorate for more qualified teachers, students being guided by their teachers on proper strategies in learning the subject, adequate supply of teaching and learning materials were made to help address the problem of poor performance of students in the school and for further studies by other researchers as far as English Language is concerned