Factors affecting biology performance in three chosen secondary schools in Walukuba/Masese Sub County Jinja district

Abstract

This study investigated the factors affecting Biology Performance in three (3) schools in Walukuba/Masese Division in Jinja district, Uganda. The objectives were to find out the effect of teacher quality on learners’ biology performance, the effect of parent’s involvement on Biology performance and the effect of learners on Biology performance in Masese / Walukuba Jinja community secondary schools. The study employed mixed research approach and cross-section research design whereby questionnaires and an interview guide were used as data collection instruments. A sample of 183 participants engaged in the study out of which 30 were biology teachers and 153 students from form three and form four. The data collected was analyzed by SPSS and excel computer programs. The study revealed that students’ interest in Biology was minimal due to its complex nature and most students are not allowed to choose the subjects they want. Availability of reading materials, having study timetables, interest in practical’s, number of tasks and subjects studied, their ambition and attitude, cases of indiscipline, absenteeism, ability to do practicals and having discussion groups were some of the factors influencing students’ poor performance in biology. Poor parent involvement was found to contribute to poor students’ academic performance as 64.3% of the student respondents said that parents did not inspect their exercise books when they went back home from school. The study recommends that parents should participate in the construction of infrastructures as well as take trouble to inspect the children`s books regularly so as to improve their performance in Biology. Therefore, these factors need to be understood and properly addressed in order to improve students’ performance.