Factors affecting the performance of senior high schools biology students in Ashanti Bekwai Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting the performance of senior high school biology students in Ashanti Bekwai Municipality. The study was guided by the following research objectives; to examine the influence of learning resources on the performance of senior high school biology students in Ashanti Bekwai Municipality, to examine the influence of teacher related factors on the performance of senior high school biology students in Ashanti Bekwai Municipality and to assess the influence of administrative practices on the performance of senior high biology students in Ashanti Bekwai Municipality. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted all the 785 form two biology students and all the 28 biology teachers in senior high schools in the Bekwai Municipality. However, the sample size comprised 120 students and 12 biology teachers in the participating schools. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the schools. Random sampling techniques were used to select the 120 participating students and expert purposive sampling techniques were used to select 12 biology teachers from the three selected schools in the Bekwai Municipality. The research instruments used to collect the data included, questionnaires for teachers and students, interview schedules and observation schedules. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel were used in data analysis. Frequency tables, percentages, pie charts and bar charts were used to present the analyzed data. The findings of the study revealed that learning resources were inadequate and hence affected academic performance to a great extent. The study also revealed that influence of administrative practices was significant to students’ academic performance and similarly, teacher related factors had influence on academic performance to a great extent. The study recommended among others that heads of department should intensify the routine supervision of teachers and vetting of scheme of work by teachers to ensure the adherence to the dictates of professional records and that headmasters and school management should ensure that relevant materials are procured for use by both teachers and students.