Factors contributing to the academic achievement of junior high school in Aboom circuit,Cape Coast

Abstract

The present study investigated of factors contributing to the academic achievements of students in the Aboom Circuit of the Cape Coast Metropolis during 2015-2016 academic years. The study employed descriptive, cross-sectional survey design, using questionnaires for data collection. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 350 JHS students and a census method was conducted on 30 teachers. The data was analysed and discussed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that both teachers and students had positive views concerning school-related factors, teacher-related factors, and home-related factors and those student-related factors were seen as significantly contributing to students’ academic achievement. The study further found that teacher-related factors and home-related factors were positively correlated with students’ academic achievement while school-related factors and student-related factors had negative association with students’ academic achievement. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education/Ghana Education Service in partnership with school administration should provide adequate teaching and learning resources and a conducive school atmosphere to enhance effective teaching and learning in school. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education/Ghana Education Service should continually organise seminars, short courses, trainings and workshops for all the teachers on teaching strategies, classroom management and motivation. It is recommended that school administrators should involve parents on every educational issue and implement school involvement activities that are specifically geared toward parents from the lower socio-economic group.