Stakeholders’ Perception of Factors Influencing Low Academic Performance of Pupils’ in Basic Education Certificate Examinations in Ghana

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue I, January 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

Stakeholders’ Perception of Factors Influencing Low Academic Performance of Pupils’ in Basic Education Certificate Examinations in Ghana

Timothy Agure Awinimi¹, Berigah Dorcas², Augustine Adjei^3
1,2 Gbewaa College of Education, Upper East, Ghana W/A
³Offinso College of Education, Offinso-Ashanti, Ghana W/A

Abstract: The study aimed at looking at factors influencing stakeholders’ perception of factors of low academic performance of pupils in Basic Education Certificate Examination in Pusiga District. The study also sought to find out how teachers’, pupils, and parents perceive the factors responsible for pupils’ low academic performance in BECE. The sources of data comprised questionnaires. The respondents were 270 comprising teachers’, pupils, and parents. The study’s findings unearthed that multiple factors influence the low academic performance of pupils. The school and teacher-related factors that influence low academic performance included lack of monitoring and supervision of learning, misuse of instructional time, and teacher incompetence. But, the pupils’ related factors included problems with language proficiency, negative attitudes towards learning, and problems of regularity and punctuality. The study also found that the home and parent-related factors that significantly influenced pupils’ performance included a lack of conducive home environment, lack of parental involvement, and monitoring of children’s education. The study concluded that attention needs to be paid to the language proficiency of the pupils, pupils’ attitude towards learning, and regularity and punctuality to school to enhance the academic performance of the pupils. It is recommended that the District Directorate and Head teachers intensify their supervision and monitoring roles, offer guidance and counselling, and periodically organize in-service training for teachers. Also, parents should monitor pupils learning at home. Therefore, it is pertinent that education stakeholders look at considering comprehensive factors that influence the academic performance of pupils in the Pusiga District, instead of concentrating on selective individual factors.

Keywords: Academic Performance, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Effective School, Home and Parent-related Factors, Low Academic Performance, School and Teacher-related Factors and Pupil-related Factors

I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The influence of formal education in development efforts is well recognized worldwide. According to Okumu; Nakaijo and Isoke, (2008), education is regarded as a fundamental human right as well as a catalyst for economic growth and development of nations. Education is valued because it provides the skilled human resource needed for a nations’ economic development.

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