Impact of home variables on senior high school students’ performance in integrated science

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of home variables on Senior High School students’ performance in integrated science at Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School in the Ga – South Municipality in the Greater Accra Region. The case study design was used for this research. The main instruments for data collection were questionnaire and interview. The study involved sixty (60) students, sixty (60) parents and thirty (30) teachers and administrators. Purposive sampling was used to select the school as well as the teachers and administrators while random sampling was used to select the individual parent and student respondents. Simple percentages were used to determine the levels of impact of the different home variables affecting students’ academic performance in integrated science. The major home variables underpinning the study included socio economic status of parents, home environment, parental involvement in education and the availability of modern appliances in homes. All the respondents indicated that the socio economic status of parents had been the major factor influencing the poor performance of integrated science students in Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School. Among the suggested interventions cutting across the various groups of respondents was an appeal to government to design and implement policies that will improve the socio-economic status of parents. Additionally, motivation of students by parents and teachers, the assignment of qualified people to teach science subjects by school authorities, parents’ fulfillment of their responsibilities and the supply of adequate text books and learning materials by the Ministry of Education were some of the suggested recommendations to improve integrated science learning in the school.