An Exploration of the impact of drug abuse on academic performance: a case of one rural secondary school in Buhera Rural district.
- Author
- Chirupe, Faraziya
- Title
- An Exploration of the impact of drug abuse on academic performance: a case of one rural secondary school in Buhera Rural district.
- Abstract
- This thesis investigates the impact of drug abuse on academic performance in a rural secondary school in Zimbabwe. The study used descriptive survey design combining both qualitative and quantitative research strategies. Purposive sampling was used in the selection of learner participants. Questionnaires, interviews and document analysis were used for data collection. Once data was obtained from the field it was presented on bar graphs, pie charts, column graphs and analyzed. The findings reveal a concerning prevalence of drug use, primarily marijuana and alcohol, amongst students. The research identifies a significant correlation between drug use and decreased academic performance, including lower grades, increased absenteeism, and diminished engagement. Students reported struggling with concentration, memory, and motivation due to their drug use, impacting their ability to learn effectively. The study also highlights the influence of social factors, including peer pressure and limited access to alternative activities, as contributing factors to drug abuse. The thesis concludes with recommendations for interventions tailored to the rural context, including awareness campaigns, skills development programs, and increased access to mental health services. In a more specific sense the study concluded that the school offered guidance and counselling to the learners and that most of the learners had attended guidance and counselling against drugs in their schools. Alcohol was the frequently abused drug in the school. The study concluded that drug abuse among the learners caused dropping out of school, strained relationship with other learners, lack of interest in studying, low concentration span and declining grades. The study concluded that anxiety, headache, feeling sleepy, confusion and vomiting were serious effects of drug abuse among learners and that the learners have friends who take drugs. The study recommends that all schools should set up guidance and counselling offices facilitated by professionals to counsel learners who indulge in drug abuse. Parents and teachers should discourage learners and be firm in ensuring that the learners do not take alcohol which is the most abused in the schools. The parents should also ensure they do not give so much money to their children and if they do so they should ensure that the money is put into constructive use. This research emphasizes the urgent need for a multi-pronged approach to combat drug abuse and support the academic success of rural students in Zimbabwe.
- Date
- June 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Drug Abuse
- Rural Secondary School
- Academic Performance
- Supervisor
- Mr. Shasha
- Item sets
- Department of Chemistry
- Media
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Chirupe, Faraziya.pdf