Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Quality teacher is one of the key school related factors that significantly affect
students’ academic achievement. The study was conducted to analyze the effect
of the characteristics of teachers on the academic performance of students in
Christian Religious Studies (CRS) in Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast
Metropolis. Descriptive, explanatory survey template was used in the analysis.
The study population was all CRS students and questionnaire were distributed
to 458 students out of 10464, using proportionate random sampling technique.
Inferential statistics (Pearson Correlation and Multiple linear regression) were
used to evaluate the collected data. There were statistically significant
correlations teachers’ professional knowledge, professional practice, and
professional value and attitude and the students’ academic performance in CRS.
The study further revealed that teacher characteristics (professional knowledge,
professional practice, and professional value and attitude) were statistically
significant in predicting and influencing students’ academic performance in
CRS, and teachers’ professional knowledge was the highest predictor. The study
recommended that the Ministry of Education (MoE) in partnership with the
Ghana Education Services (GES) should continue to organize seminars and
workshops to develop teachers’ professional knowledge, professional practice
and professional values and attitudes, to enlighten teachers more on the
advantages of innovative and instructional practices that are geared towards
students’ learning.
