Academic Performance of Children in an Institutional Care : The Case of Selam Children's Village
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Date
2012-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the stud y was to assess the academic performance of children in
institutional care and identify factors affecting academic performance. Academic
performance refers to the semester average score of students. The questions addressed
were: I ) how children perform academically? 2) What are the key factors driving or
impeding academic performance? 3) What possible interventions can improve academic
performance?
A total of 75 children o f Se lam Village No.1 from grade five to eight (2004 academic
yea r) were include d as primary respondents. The average score of 575 students in the
same grad e was analyzed for the last three semesters of academic year 2003 and 2004.
Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed . Data collected from
primary and secondary sources we re processed using the statistical package for social
scientists (SPSS). Statistical test s mainly comparing mean s and Somers'd test were used
to see associations between variables.
The major findings include (I) v ill age children have low academic performance
compared to the total student population; (2) students' educational disciplines and habits
have significant correlation with academic performance; 3) Level of satisfaction with
caregivers and living environment didn't s how statistically significant association with
performance; 4) satisfaction with teachers is relatively low.
Structured psychological support, enhancing English proficiency and students' efforts,
and m re work to build strong student teacher relationship are recommended to improve
academic performance of the students. Moreover, detail research is recommended to
check findings that questioned the established theories and principles.
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Children in an In stitutional Care