An Investigation of Academic Performance for Junior High School Students in Ho West District, Ghana

This study investigated the poor academic performance of public JHS students in the Ho West District.This study was a sequential explanatory mixed approach underpinned by pragmatic philosophical thought. It employed a descriptive survey and case study designs, where data were collected in two phases using three-point Likert-type scale questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. At the quantitative phase, a questionnaire was administered to students and teachers while the qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews for head teachers and circuit supervisor. The quantitative data were analysed and the results were presented using frequency and percentage. The qualitative data were thematically analysed to explain issues as they emerged from the quantitative data. The findings of the study revealed that home factors such as poor socio-economic status of parents, unsatisfactory supervision and monitoring of pupils at home, and excessively engaging pupils in household and child labour activities significantly affected the academic performance of pupils. Learner factors such as the poor attitude of pupils to school and learning fairly contributed to the poor academic performance of the pupils. School factors such as large class size, low motivation for teachers and job dissatisfaction, and poor supervision of teachers were linked to the poor academic performance of pupils. In light of these findings, the study recommended among other things that parents should adequately provide for the basic and school needs of their wards. Again, it was also recommended that pupils should be encouraged to attend school always.