Self-perceived determinants of academic underachievement of University of Cape Coast undergraduate students

Abstract

This study was an attempt to identify the determinants of academic underachievement among University of Cape Coast students. Five hundred sixty five under performing respondents were purposively sampled out of 3,459 students from the 2002- 2003 year group for the study. A research questionnaire was designed and used to obtain the data for the study. The internal consistency method was used to establish a reliability coefficient of 0.82 for the questionnaire. Frequencies, percentages, chi square test, and t test were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that there were generally four self-perceived factors which influenced academic underachievement in the University of Cape Coast. These included lack of funding, poor library use, poor time management, lack of tutorials and absenteeism. To a limited extent, respondents with dependants accepted influence of marriage as determinant while male respondents alone accepted excessive religious activities and lack of accommodation as influential in determining academic under achievement. These determinants contributed directly to academic underachievement of students in varied degrees. Based upon the findings, appropriate recommendations were made.