Correlates of Academic Performance of Orphaned Students in Selected Secondary Schools in Musanze District, Rwanda

ABSTRACT The researcher’s purpose is to identify and examine the correlates of orphaned students’ academic performance (academic achievement) in selected secondary schools in Musanze District ,Rwanda. Chapter One of this research work is devoted to portraying the background of this study, emphasizing on the present life of orphaned students in Rwanda. This includes mainly these students’ academic performanceJn Chapter Two, emphasis is laid on factors affecting academic performance in general, and mainly on those affecting the academic achievements of orphaned students that include psychological, social and economic factors. With regard to Chapter Three, the methodology adopted to do this research is described.To verify the factors which are behind the poor performance, a survey was carried out in 7 secondary schools of Musanze District, a questionnaire and interviews as instruments were subjected to the respective respondents for data collection. In Chapter Four, the collected data were presented, analyzed and interpreted. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, and Pearson correlation of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Lastly, the findings, conclusions and recommendations of this work were given in Chapter Five. The researcher found that all psychological, social, and economic factors are positively related to orphaned students’ academic performance.Thus, this research revealed that the great majority of the respondents do not get timely and sufficient school fees and necessary scholastic materials. They suffer various great hardships during holidays, and are sometimes psychologically harassed by their colleagues. In spite of many efforts made by the Government and Non-Governmental Organizations to give a leg-up to orphaned students, a big number of them remain without any financial back-up, making them desperate, as the continuation and completion of their studies are not ensured. The recommendations made were mainly focused on identifying all needy orphaned students, and equip their respective homes with necessary means of improving their welfare and academic success.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION A ii

DECLARATION B iii

APPROVAL SHEET iv

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS v

DEDICATION vii

ACKNOWLEGEMENT viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS x

LIST OF TABLES xiv

LIST OF FIGURES xvi

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 4

Research Objectives 5

Research Questions 5

Hypotheses 5

Scope 6

Significance 6

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 7

CHAPTER TWO 8

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 8

Introduction 8

Factors Effecting Academic Pertormance 8

The Self-Concept 8

Motivation 8

x

Individual Differences 8

Socio-Economic, and Cultural Background 9

Home Background and Social Interaction 10

Teacher-Student’s Relations 12

Peer Influence 13

Active Learning 14

Class Attendance 14

Extracurricular Activities 15

Theoretical Perspectives 16

Related Studies 22

Psychological Factors and Academic Performance 23

Stress, Trauma, and Stigma 23

Lack of Efficient Psychological Support 27

Social Factors and Academic Performance 31

Family-Life Effects 31

Indecent Health Conditions 34

Low School Assistance 35

Exploitation and Abuse 35

Economic Factors and Academic Performance 37

The Poverty 37

CHAPTER THREE 40

METHODOLOGY 40

Introduction 40

Research Design 40

Research Population 40

Sample Size 41

Sampling Procedure 42

xi

Research Instrument 43

Validity and Reliability of the Research Instrument 44

Data Reliability 45

Data Gathering Procedures 45

Data Analysis 45

Ethical Considerations 45

Limitations of the Study 46

CHAPTER FOUR 47

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 47

Introduction 47

Questionnaire for Orphaned Students 47

Measuring the Dependent Variable 47

Students’ Performance in Terms of Participation in Class 49

Students’ Performance in Terms of Doing Corrections 49

Students’ Performance in Terms of Attendance so

Students’ Performance in Terms of Revision 50

Students’ Performance in Terms of Examination Scores 51

Orphaned Students’ School Performance in Term 2, Academic Year 2010 52

Measuring the Independent Variables 55

Interview with Head Teachers 73

Views and Testimonies of School Head Teachers 74

Financial Problems of Orphaned Students 74

Psychological Problems of Orphaned Students 74

Dealing with Students who Have Problems 74

Interview with Executive Secretaries 74