Institute of Distance Education

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Browsing Institute of Distance Education by Subject "Academic performance learners--Primary."

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    An investigation of the causes of poor academic performance of pupils in grade seven (7) final examinations in selected primary schools of Mungwi district.
    (The University of Zambia, 2017) Mukanu, Stephen
    The main purpose of this study was to determine the factors that have contributed to the poor academic performance of learners in grade seven (7) final examinations in Mungwi District of Northern Province. The study sought to fulfill the following objectives: To assess how the school based factors have contributed to poor academic performance of pupils in grade seven (7) final examinations in selected primary school of Mungwi District, to determine pupil related factors that have contributed to the poor academic performance of pupils in grade Seven (7) final examinations in selected primary schools of Mungwi District and to establish strategies on how pupil performance in grade seven final examinations can be improved in selected primary schools of Mungwi District. A qualitative methodology was used to gather data for this research. Data was gathered using structured interviews and focus group interviews/discussion. This research study was guided by the constructivism theory. Research participants included: The head teachers, grade seven teachers and grade seven pupils. The findings of the study were as follows: It was clear that the Primary schools in Mungwi were not provided with physical teaching and learning aids. The study also revealed that the government of the republic of Zambia was not adequately funding the primary schools in Mungwi District. The class size was found to influence the teaching and learning process. It was also established that there was no proper supervision of teachers by both internal and external monitors. The study also revealed that the rate of absenteeism was high in selected primary schools of Mungwi District. Furthermore, it was evidenced that most of the parents or guardians had low educational attainments. These parents were not helping and encouraging their children to learn. The study concluded that learners from poor families were more likely to have poor academic performance at school. This study also revealed that most of the learners were covering long distances to and from school. It also clearly established that a good number of pupils had bad attitude towards learning. Arising from the findings and discussions that addressed all the objectives, this study made the following recommendations: The Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of General Education should be providing schools with adequate funding for teaching and learning facilities, the school community partnership should be encouraged to support the development of schools to improve the facilities and ensure that the schools have enough instructional materials vii for effective teaching and learning, the school administrators should make sure that Classes are made manageable by adding more streams in schools where the classes are large or overcrowded, Internal and external monitoring must be carried out periodically so that the standards of education are regularly assessed and controlled and lastly, the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of General Education should construct a primary school within the radius of four kilometers (4km) so that absenteeism as the result of covering long distances to school can be reduced. Key terms academic, performance, primary, school, examination, attainment, leaning.