An Investigation into the factors affecting the achievement of students in biology: a case study of four selected schools in Kwekwe urban schools · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Muchingami, Lyna

Title

An Investigation into the factors affecting the achievement of students in biology: a case study of four selected schools in Kwekwe urban schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the factors affecting the achievement of students in biology in Kwekwe Urban District schools. A cross sectional survey design was adopted for this study. Stratified random sampling technique was used for urban schools and purposive sampling was used to select the biology teachers and the Head of Departments who were the key informants. The data was collected from HODs, and Biology teachers. Questionnaires were administered and interviews were conducted. Data was compiled and analyzed through tables, pie charts and graphs. The achievement of students in biology has been affected by inadequate teaching and learning resources such as apparatus, laboratories and textbooks, attitude, home environment, physical resources, educational resources at home, learners profile, parents, language use in the teaching and learning of Biology, Biology content, lack of data financial resources, and transformation process were major factors influencing performance of Biology in Kwekwe District Secondary School The study further discovered that positive attitude, field work, team work, teacher’s competency, inquiry approach and development of resources centers were some of the strategies that can be used to improve performance of Biology students. Recommendations were that, for the fact that biology is a practical oriented subject; the government should help in equipping biology laboratories in all schools, so as to make the teaching of biology more comprehensive. The teachers should try to improvise for that equipment that are difficult to get and should not wait for the government to provide everything. Science teachers including Biology teachers should be encouraged to use learner-centered approaches such discovery learning, problem-solving, hands-on activity and fieldtrips to foster positive attitude of pupils toward learning and promote creativity in learners.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Kwekwe Urban Schools

Achievement

Biology

Supervisor

Dr. R. K. Makado