An Assessment Of The Determinants Of Academic Performance Of Basic Schools In Wa West District.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of academic performance of pupils in

the Wa West District. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs were used. The study

participants comprised 160 pupils, eight headteachers and eight Parent Teacher Association

chairmen. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. The results show

that a number of statistically significant relationships existed between school factors, teacher

factors, pupil characteristics and home-based factors and academic performance of the pupils.

These significant relationships accounted for the low academic performance of pupils in the Wa

West District. The school factors identified were inadequate teaching and learning materials,

inadequate textbooks, inadequate trained teachers and misuse of school contact hours. The

teacher factors that were found to contribute to the low academic performance were incidence of

lateness to school, incidence of absenteeism, use of the local language in teaching and inability

to complete the syllabi. The pupil characteristics found significant were incidence of lateness to

school and absenteeism, truancy and little help with studies at home. Home-based factors

causing pupils to perform poorly academically were less interest of parents in their children’s

schooling and less involvement in the Parent Teacher Association. The findings offer very

relevant information for better understanding of the variables affecting pupil academic

performance in the Wa West District for decision making with an aim towards improving

academic performance during this educational stage. It was recommended among others that

there is the need to sensitise pupils and parents to change their attitudes, intensify supervision in

the schools and institute incentive packages for teachers, sponsorship and bonding of teacher

trainees and provide adequate teaching and learning materials in the schools.