The impact of poverty on academic performance: a case study of Gedeli primary school Ilemela district (Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2007-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Education Open and Distance Learning
Abstract
The study sought to investigate the effect of poverty in academic performance. This was achieved by investigating the effects of poverty on academic performance and investigating solutions to the effects of poverty on academic performance. A case study design was employed in the study. The researcher adopted this case
study design because the study concentrated on a particular area, which was generalised to the rest of the region. For the study, total of 80 participants. An interview guide was constructed and used to collect information from students. A questionnaire was also designed and used to collect information from teachers. The
researcher also used observation and guided discussions to get more information.This study showed that pupils from low-income families were greatly affected by the lack of financial facilitation such as school fees and scholastic materials. Other hindrances were poor hygiene both at home and at school and a persistent ailment of malaria caused by lack of mosquito nets. This led them to miss school and fail to perform well in their academics. Lack of adequate meals accounted for the greatest proportion of poor performers as reported by both teachers and pupils. Poor learning environment was another reported major cause of poor performance. This was all due to lack of finances from both parents and school and was worsened by the shear
number of pupils that the teachers had to teach. As a result the limited number of teachers were made to teach two sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon which led them not to pay great attention to the
pupils which resulted in poor performance. The study findings in general agreed with the findings of the authors cited in the literature review. The major recommendations included the government encourage teachers through increase of their salaries and wages as the performance of the pupils depends highly on them and facilitate schools with grants to enable them purchase more scholastic materials and build class room blocks.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Education in Partial Fulfillment for the Award of the Degree of Bachelor of Art with Education of Kampala International University
Keywords
Poverty, Academic Performance, Gedeli primary school, Tanzania