Factors Affecting Academic Achievement of Female Students: The Case of West Shoa Zone General Secondary Schools
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is fo investigate some of the factors that affect the
academic achievement of female students in general secondary schools of west Shoa
Zone. It attempts to identify the major Jactors under two headings: In - school and out- of
-school related factors. In order to attain the objectives of the study, a d..escriptive survey
method was employed. The study was carried out on five general secondary schools that
were selected using random sampling technique form19 high' schools of west shoa zone.
The study also involved 300 female students selected randomly from grade 10 and grade
9, 50 teachers' selected randomly, 5 parents of female students selected randomly and 5
school directors and 1 guidance and counselor officer purposely selected form the five
sample schools.
Documentary analysis, questionnaires and interview were the instruments used
for data collection. The data gathered were analyzed using statistical tools such as
percentage and chi-s uare . . Based on the results of the analysis, though relative
incr-eTnent has been observed in the nz:mger of female students, percentf!15f!s oj female
promotion in each year shows that, female students' academic achievement relatively
declined -through the years under consideration., Lack of guidance and counseling
services for female students, sexual harassment in and around school, distance of school
from home and safety to travel to schoo{were some of school relaKdfactors identified
for low academic achievement of female students in general secondary schools. .
On the other hand, from out-of-school factors, lack of t!me to study at home, lack
of parental support, the effect of broken home and low level of parental education were
identified as some of causes for low academic achievement of female students in west
Shoa Zone.
It was also found out that the combined effect of both in school and out -ofschool
relatedfactors were important in explaining the factors which affect the academic
achievement of female students in general secondary schools of the Zone. It was thus
indicated that the factors which affect the academic achievement of female students is a
function of variables which emanate from in-school and out-of-school systems.
Accordingly, the improvement of these variables will make a considerable change in
academic achievement of female students. Therefore, it was recommended that mepsures
re.!9ted10 safety to travel to school, school policies on sexual harassment, availability of
professionally trained guidance and counselor in the school, teachers training and
community sensitization and education be taken to increase academic achievement of
female students in general secondary schools of West Shoa Zone
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Keywords
Zone General Secondary Schools