Factors affecting a level biology academic performance in secondary schools in Kampala

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the factors affecting A Level Biology performance in selected schools in Kampala. The study objectives were; to establish the Biology performance in the selected schools in Kampala district, to find the available teaching aids for Biology in the selected schools and to find out the factors affecting performance of Biology at A level. Data were collected from five schools using questionnaires, observation checklist and document analysis. The sample size for the study included 73 students. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative methods of data interpretation and analysis. The study findings indicated the following; majority of the students offering the subject do not excel as expected, this was indicated by the grades that students obtain after being evaluated in which we clearly noticed that the number of graded learners who do not pass the subject increases as the grades are lowered, the teaching aids available for the teaching of Biology included; food test reagents, culture solutions, dissection specimens, salts and solution chemicals, petri dishes, beakers, boiling tubes, test tube rags, droppers, soil, Bunsen burners, basins, dissection boards, benches, rats, water source, microscopes, skeletal bones, projectors, speakers, cyber school Biology teaching software, display boards, flat screens, internet cables, desktops, laptop computers, and display boards, functional approach text books, biological science text books, copies of A level Biology syllabus, question banks, Campbell textbooks and Biology revision text books and use of technology during the teaching and learning processes, attendance to the lessons, limited time given to discussions, teacher motivation, clarity on the depth of the content to be covered at A level, completion of syllabus, and teachers’ efforts and teacher guidance