Perceived School Environmental, Home Conditions and Academic Performance of Junior High School Students in Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District, Ghana

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceived school environmental and home conditions that are responsible for the poor academic performance of pupils in Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District, Ghana. A descriptive design was used. The target population for this study consisted of school children and teachers. The study population was made up of students, and teachers of Asikuma Circuit Junior High Schools. Simple random sampling was used to select four public Junior High Schools from the circuit. The researcher also used all the teachers in the selected Junior High Schools for the study. The sample size was 205 pupils. The questionnaire was deemed most appropriate for the study. The questionnaires were designed respectively for school teachers and students. Percentages and frequencies were used to analyze the background information of the participants and all the two research questions. The study found that school environmental factors such as inadequate teaching and learning materials, inadequately equipped classrooms for teaching and learning and non-availability of libraries in schools were a major cause of poor academic performance. Again, failure in parents providing breakfast for their children before leaving for school and failure to provide subject textbook is the major home conditions responsible for the poor academic achievement of students.

Conclusion: It must be emphasised that these factors generally do not operate in isolation. Therefore, improving the academic performance of the students in the Asikuma circuit of Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District schools should involve paying attention to individual issues discussed. It should involve a total package.