Perceived effects of paid work on academic performance of working students at the College Of Humanities And Social Sciences (CHUSS), Makerere University

Abstract

Despite the demanding environment in the education sector all over the world, university students have continuously joined the working sector. The reason for their joining includes but not limited to financial independence and acquisition of new skills mainly through doing part time jobs and this leaves an impact on their academic performance. This study aimed at examining how adherence to work responsibilities impacted the student’s adherence to school related duties, effect on student’s relationships and the coping mechanisms with an aim of generating recommendations that can guarantee a win-win solutions to their dual roles. The study used a qualitative approach and a case study design to collect data from participants. The study population comprised of 14 interviews; 8 IDIS and 2 FGDS a combination that described my primary participants and 4 key informant interviews from the college of humanities and social sciences. A semi-structured interview guide, focus group discussion guide and a key informant interview guide were the tools used respectively. The study finding revealed that the most negatively impacted aspects of academic performance were regular lecture attendance and participation in group work. While adherence to course work deadlines was the most fulfilled aspect, students end of semester grades were also negatively affected because of failures in other aspects. However, using a variety of coping mechanism like usage of night hours for revision and befriending of classmates for survival, effects of paid work on working students’ academic performance were reduced. Among the recommendations include; the university to strengthen the evening and weekend programs that were meant to help out working students cope with work and academics, identify and prioritize struggling students with opportunities within and outside the university like hiring them as security guards and more. With the working-student environment improved through the recommended measures, working students’ academic performance can be stimulated.