Factors Influencing the Performance of Junior High School Students in Social Studies in the Bia East District of Ghana

摘要

The study therefore sought to identify the factors that influence the performance of students in Social Studies at Junior High Schools in the Bia East District of Ghana. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A sample size of 310 pupils was used for the study through the stratified random sampling procedure. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using means and standard deviations. The study found that the school-related factors that influence academic performance of pupils include the classroom atmosphere, presence and adequacy of teaching and learning materials, supervision and monitoring and class size. Also, the study revealed that number of contact hours between teachers and students, teaching styles and methods, teachers’ ability to complete syllabi and qualification of teachers are the teacher-related factors that influence academic performance of pupils. In addition, the study revealed that parental support in terms of provision of learning materials influence students’ academic performance. Finally, the study found that students’ attitude towards learning, their self-concept and motivation, punctuality and regular school attendance and their level of discipline influence their academic performance. It was recommended among other things that education policy makers ensure that there is effective supervision and monitoring in junior high schools.