Factors that affect students’ academic performance. A case of St. Andrew’s Junior High School in Nandom municipality

Abstract

Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) performance have witness a significant decline in the Municipality since 2014 till date. This therefore has sparked a considerable academic investigation regarding the consequences and factors that affect students’ academic performance on St. Andrews Junior High School. Surprisingly, the area of study has received little attention in context or public discourse. The general objective of the study was to examine the factors that affect students’ academic performance (teacher-related factors, school environmental-related factors, students’ own related factors and as well measures that would recuperate students’ academic performance). The study also sought to determine which of the variables identified significantly predicted academic attainment of children. To achieve this objective, a survey was conducted using purposive sampling on all the eighteen (18) respondents identified through the sampling technique. Respondents consisted of all the teachers in the school under study. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package and Social Sciences (SPSS) system. The results showed that the variables or factors identified above have a huge effects on the students’ academic attainment. All variables measured proved to be a statically significant determinant of students’ academic attainment. Teacher-Related factors, School environmental-related factors, Home/household-related factors and Students own characteristics when duly dealt with would have huge influence on the academic attainment of students. Findings of the study suggest that when these factors are properly addressed would take care of students’ academic attainment. In view of this, the study suggest that government , parents, school authorities, Education Directorate, teachers as well as students themselves should as a matter of fact made to know these factors and their consequences taking cue from this study.